I have an outdoor bench with oak seat boards that need a good finish for the outdoor environment. I had finished them with 3 coats of Minwax Indoor/Outdoor Helmsman Spar Urethane. This lasted just about 1 year before it starting flaking. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
-- Kevin May "Making wood useful and fun!" www.kevinmaywoodworks.com
3 comments so far
Jimi_C
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507 posts in 4202 days
#1 posted 05-04-2012 12:45 PM
I’m going to use General Finishes Outdoor Oil on the porch glider (white oak) I’m building. It has good reviews from what I can tell and seems easier to apply than a marine finish.
-- The difference between being defeated and admitting defeat is what makes all the difference in the world - Upton Sinclair, "The Jungle"
popsshop
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42 posts in 3942 days
#2 posted 05-04-2012 01:07 PM
For outdoor exposure, I’ve had great reuslts with marine spar varnish. I used Minwax, but there are other brands as well. Although I felt like I needed three coats, once it’s applied and dries properly, it’s a tough finish, and resists damage from water and UV. Hope it helps.
-- Drilling holes in wood is a boring job
treerecycler
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6 posts in 3176 days
#3 posted 05-09-2012 01:05 AM
I prefer a finish that penetrates and is easy to renew. A three part finish of equal parts of tung oil, turpentine, and polyurethane works for me. Keep it thin and adding turpentine will not hurt it. You can add as many coats as you like to build up the shine you like. To refinish sand and recoat.
-- Dave, Arkansas,retiree
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