I have been asked to redo the finish on some stained window trim in a very high-end home. The wood is primarily soft maple or birch (I think) and is stained a madium oak color. What is the best finish for such a job? I am primarily concerned with adhesion and UV resistance. (The finish will have to be brushed on since the house is already inhabited.)
Thanks!
Dan
Replies
Why does the finish need to be redone?
Steve,
The finish is rougher than the customer thinks it should be and it is beginning to show some fading in spots. I believe the homeowner is wanting a furniture-grade finish on the interior trim and is willing to pay for it.
Dan
Try a good spar varnish. They should come in satin and gloss.
The key word in kreuzie's first sentence is a good spar varnish. This doesn't include anything that says Minwax on the label or anything that you are going to find at a big box or hardware store. Spar varnish made for use on boats is good for UV resistance but it is very expensive. If you are going to use spar varnish for UV protection it is the only way to go though. The other stuff is no good in direct sunlight and you will have to redo it before long. Shellac would be a better option than going with a lesser grade of spar varnish.
Rob
I'd lean towards shellac.
It adheres well, it can be tinted to whatever shade you'd like, and it DRIES quick!
Varnish is enough of a chore in the shop setting. I'd avoid it on a site finish job. You could wipe or brush on 2 or 3 layers of shellac and it would be dry before you left the job site. The normal drawback of shellac is resistance to spills - not a problem with trim.
With varnish, you'll have dust nibs, you'll need to be careful about drips, you'll need to sand between coats and you'll need to prep for good basecoat adherance.
-t
Spar varnish is generally used as an exterior finish.
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