Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 29, 2004 11:20pm | #1

   How about getting some spar varnish (or urethane), cutting it by 50% and wiping it on?

   I use this concoction a lot on pieces with a natural finish that must stand up to the weather.

1. 
   pino | Jun 29, 2004 11:33pm | #2

   Thanks for the idea. I just had an old friend suggest a combo of spar varnish, tung oil and linseed oil in equal parts. He suggested 4 or 5 coats wiped on provide a nice penatrating finish.

   I'll give one of those a try.

1. 
   BHerman | Jun 30, 2004 12:09am | #3

   I've used that combo on cedar outdoor furniture and it doesn't hold up that well. Lately I've been using Penofin, especially since they started producing it in a clear (untinted) form. I know that you said that its not available locally, but my experience with blo/tung oil/spar mixes is that you'll be sanding them off in 2 yrs - especially if exposed to direct sunlight.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 30, 2004 01:36am | #4

   The spar varnish, tung oil, linseed oil combo is the old Sam Maloof finish that I found in a mag 20 years ago, and printed in one of the threads recently. You just mix 1/3 each, with enough paint thinner to make the mix wipable.

   I used this stuff for a long time, but moved on to the spar varnish/paint thinner mix when pure tung oil was hard to find. As near as I can tell, it works just as well.

   Wearability is indeed an issue -- you may have to recoat in 2 years if the piece is continually exposed to weather and full sun. But the beauty of the finish is simply that you rub down your piece with steel wool or Scotch Brite (mainly to remove accumulated dirt), and recoat with the mixture. For my money, this is a lot better than having to strip off a film finish.

   Edited 6/29/2004 6:58 pm ET by nikkiwood

1. 
   pino | Jun 30, 2004 03:14am | #5

   Thats what I am looking for, something that is easy to maintain. I don't mind having to re-apply the finish every year or two. A simple steel wooling and I'm off to the races.

   Besides, a pentrating finish really pops the grain in ways film finishes don't seem to do.

   Thanks again for the tip.

1. 
   Biscardi | Jul 06, 2004 05:29am | #6

   I knew a fellow once who put used motor oil on his outside furniture. It worked well and didn't leave a smell or oily feel. It left pressure treated wood looking like walnut.

   No kidding,

   Frank

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 06, 2004 05:41pm | #7

   The varnish in the oil/varnish blend effectively seals the wood with the first application coat. Further coats do not penetrate which causes a very soft, oily finish to build up. It's not a good finish for an exterior application.Howie.........