1/4".of.rust.doesn't.sound.too.bad. Obviously.the.flakes.have.to.be.hammered.or.ground.off. Seems.to.me.that.a.rust.converter.would.work.on.the.rest.of.the.iron-have.to.b e. repeated.every.year. Once.the.oak.dried.out,a.saturation.of.Liquid.Wood.should.keep.it.from.deterio rating. Replace.the.bands.if.they're.too.far.gone. Give.us.the.address.of.the.lawn,so.we.can.check.it.out.when.we're.in.the. neighborhood. John.Mascaro