I’m building a garden bench for my covered front porch, and using hickory. Unconventional choice, I know, but it was available for a good price, and it looks nice.
I live in the Southwest, so rain is not really a concern. In fact, the most water the bench will see will probable be from me hosing the dust off of it a couple times per year. It’ll get lots of UV rays in the mornings, however.
I want to sample two options. First, a nice clear (or lightly tinted) finish that will enhance and bring out the grain and beauty of the wood. And second, to satisfy the wife, a mahogany-type color that will match our mahogany front door. I’m hoping that with side-by-side samples, I may be able to convince the wife to go with the more natural look.
Any suggestions?
Replies
Yeah, what is it with women wanting to make everything match? My wife routinely alters my finishing plans on things I build for the house -- I want the piece to look esthetically pleasing and she wants it to match! Sometimes you can do both, and sometimes...
Wow, I feel sorry for you guys. I ask my wife for her input on wood species selection or finishing and all she will say is "whatever you think will look best". No, she is not a shrinking violet, and this is not a normal response in other situations. I guess she just trusts the person who is creating the project to have the best insight into how it should look.
Now then, exactly what kind of suggestions are you looking for Eric? What type of finish to use for durability? How to make hickory look it's best? How to make the sample that your wife wants look like crap? Actually I doubt that you are going to be able to make hickory look at all natural if it is colored a mahogany color. Dense, fine pored woods generally don't like to take a lot of color. A dye would be your best bet.
Rob
Rob,
I was looking for suggestions on how to achieve either finish for durability with some exposure to the elements. For example, would a polyurethane or varnish topcoat be sufficient, or should I consider something like a deck or floor sealer?
Single part polyurethane varnish is about your worst choice. The only clear finish with prospects for any durability is a top quality marine spar varnish, at prices surrounding $30 a quart , putting on a full 6 brushed on coats. No varnish sold at any of the big box stores qualifies regardless of the nautical sounding names. But that durability is relative--you will still need to periodically add a refresher coat. If it only gets morning sun, then perhaps every two years. And after some number of years you will have to strip and start over. Any dings must be repaired promptly.
Sikken's Cetol might get you a little more time, but still needs periodic refreshing, and when it starts to fail it can really look bad, and still be hard to get entirely off in order to recoat. It has a fair amount of pigment, and that helps slow damage to the wood under the coating.
By far and away the most durable choice would be a high quality exterior gloss enamel in a light color. Dark colors add heat and accelerates deterioration.
Thanks Steve, I will look into a spar varnish.
There are three brands to consider: Epifanes Clear Varnish, Interlux Schooner, and Pettit Captain's--interestingly the Captain's rates higher than it's brand mate Admiral's at a buck more. I've named them starting with the highest price first. That's pretty much the same pecking order for quality, though all are quite decent. Accept no substitutes.
By the way, even though the labels say not to thin except on the first coat, you will need to thin these varnishes, especially the Epifanes for good brushing.
Eric,
What Steve said +1.
Rob
Do stay with the natural hickory. I just completed some kitchen cabinets out of hickory, Used an oil finish for the richness and topcoated with water base lacquer for durability. The contrast between the door and the will show both of them off very well, but looking alike will muddle both of them. IMHO
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
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