OK, seems a bit over the top but I am building an African Theme backyard for my cleints and we need a big table. I bought a slab of 8/4 14′ long by 42″ wide and will make an outdoor dining table out of it. This is Phoenix, it is 5% humidity, and 120 degrees. The table will be undercover, with an iron base, just the top.
Any suggestions or thougths. I am sure you have not tried this, but what is your best guess?
Thanks Morgan
Replies
Well my first thought is to have it under a continual mist of water. This will keep it from going completely wacky, cracking, checking, splitting, etc.
Geez. I would go with a spar varnish myself. A long oil varnish with plenty of oil in it so it can expand and contract between night and day. I would also build into your contract with these people who seem to have more dollars than sense a yearly re-conditioning. I suspect that in that climate just sitting outside is going to be hard enough on any finish. So I would re-do it every year like it was a boat. Sand it down, re-finish it every year.
Or you could just put a coat of wax on it and tell them that termites just happen to like African woods and that they're adding patina. Good luck with this. Gary
Funny you should mention termites. I spent the better part of last year redoing the grades and drainage so the termites can inspected and controlled. The interior wood floors were ravaged in every room.
So I am using a steel/iron base with an Iron frame and heavy to control some issues.
My thought had been an oil finish, Deft exterior with UV resistance. Reapply every year, religous ceremony or something. The table is not meant meant to be a perfect flat piece, I need to shape and weather the edges to look old. Some checks would not be bad, a big split would not be good though.
We do have a mist system surrounding the patio! So that is not to far out of the possiblity for us.
If anything else comes to mind let me know please. NO one with good sense has responded on Knots, maybe some others in house have an idea also.
Morgan
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Hi Morgan,
Why not consider one of the basic penetrating oil finishes. Some brands to consider would be Cabots Olympic and Sikens.
At least they won't build a film surface that you have to fuss over. Next year just wash it down with a little soap and water, let it dry and simply brush, rag, or use a garden sprayer to lay some on. Simple.
It's what I do to the cedar siding on my barn each year. I know it's not bubinga but you get the idea.
If a song or chant adds a little personality to the maintenance, go for it.
Peter
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