Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 27, 2009 07:14pm | #1

   Ipe would be an excellent choice, as would Teak (other than the price).  Both of these woods would actually need no finish, would weather nicely to an attractive grey.  The only maintenance of the wood would be an occasional cleaning.  As to availability Ipe should be available quite widely at real lumber yards. 

   Red oak is one of the worst possible choices for outdoor items.  It's very open pore structure has the capacity to wick moisture deep into the wood, often causing it to rot from the inside out.  White oak, on the other hand works quite well, and like the Ipe or Teak would naturally weather to a grey color. 

   The only reason for all the effort with penetrating epoxy and high maintence finishing schedules is to maintain a "bright" wood finish color.  If dark is wanted, the natural look of any of these Ipe Teak or White Oak, would be the way to go and require minimal maintence. 

   While enamel is the most durable coating for wood, it is much more long lived in light colors.  Dark, black or nearly so, don't last as well do the the sun heating effects. 

   
   

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   Edited 3/27/2009 12:18 pm ET by SteveSchoene

1. 
   gnp | Mar 27, 2009 09:01pm | #2

   Thanks for your response. I'm wondering if a black stain on Ipe or white oak with a lower maintenance oil finish might work. I'm not that interested in applying epoxy but will if neccessary.The black finish sure is a killer. I haven't seen Ipe's natural color. Perhaps I'll pick up a sample and push for a natural finish. The client wants black and there lies part of the problem. Many Thanks Gary

    

    

1. 
   cwalvoord | Mar 27, 2009 09:44pm | #3

   I agree with the suggestions you have gotten thus far and if it is acceptable to the client it seems to me by far the best solution is to leave the wood natural and let it weather to a nice grey.If the client insists on black then white oak can be dyed very easily to a nice dark black color. I do it all the time for picture frames as I really like the way the grain shows through due to the large pores. I usually first wipe on two coats of a solution of vinegar and iron oxide (let steel wool rust in the vinegar for a few days) that reacts with the acids in the oak to color it a dark grey. After it drys I give it a couple of coats of water soluble black dye (I got mine from Homestead Finishing). You might be able to skip the first step but it is so easy I usually just do it.Then I put on a clear top coat which, for a picture frame is easy. I usually use shellac or whatever water based clear coat I have used last (either Target or General Finishes). For an outdoor bench you might try spar varnish but I have no experience with that. In the end simply painting it black might end up with the same look - is that an option?
   Chris

1. 
   gnp | Mar 27, 2009 11:52pm | #4

   Chris, Painting it black may be an option however it still falls under severe weather conditions.  The heat that black brings being in the sun makes it nearly impossible to sit on. They like the aesthetic of the all black bench and I doubt they ever sit on it. I like the vinegar and iron idea. Do you think that will be fine outdoors? Perhaps a exterior oil finish on that. I have some white oak and will do a couple of tests with your suggestions. Thanks Gary

1. 
   cwalvoord | Apr 03, 2009 08:16pm | #6

   The vinegar and iron solution turns the oak a dark grey, not black, but it might be dark enough for your clients. It is, in my opinion, a nice look. I would guess it is similar to what IPE would weather to naturally, as Steve mentions. I would also guess that, since it is a "natural" reaction with the acid in the wood, that it would be fine outside without a top coat but I have not tried it myself. Let us know how your tests go.
   Chris

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 28, 2009 12:13am | #5

   IPE isn't black, but it will go to a dark grey over a season or two.  Unfinished it will have a life span of decades with only an occasional cleaning.  Before it turns grey it is a rich mahogany color.

   Thre are no low maintenance oil finishes.  An oil finish in full sun lasts a couple of months or so before requiring reapplication.  If neglected, the wood will resume it's natural greying process, only not so evenly. 

   If the black is non-negotiable, I'd use the low viscosity epoxy on white and cover it with a marine enamel.  It should hold up for several years, but eventually will have to be stripped and refinished.  Applying a clear top coat over the enamel won't help--only accelerate deterioration.  Make sure that he knows you would be glad to do it--though the price will not be insignificant.  By the way, has the client sat down on a black bench that has been in the sun all day?  Has he burned the back of his legs? 

   Edited 3/27/2009 5:15 pm ET by SteveSchoene