Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 07, 2009 08:01pm | #1

   Messmer's UV is the oft recommended finish or Ipe.  It makes it look good, but it still is going to require annual maintenance in the sun. 

1. 
   splinters007 | Oct 07, 2009 08:07pm | #2

   Thanks for the response Steve. I will look into the product. Fortunately the porch deck is covered for the most part. Worth a shot. Thanks again!

2. 
   islanddog | Oct 08, 2009 05:46am | #3

   Let it go to grey. That is also a natural look. Added bonus: you get to drink beer during the time you would otherwise be using to finish and refinish and refinish..... the deck.

3. 
   Don01 | Oct 08, 2009 07:36am | #4

   In FWW 205, Torture Test for Outdoor Finishes, IPE was one of the woods used.
   A proper application of ePifane High Gloss Marine Varnish may be your answer.

   Don

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 08, 2009 04:21pm | #5

   OUtdoor furntiture and trim, yes, but for a deck the varnish won't hold up very well.  It's pretty soft, for one thing.  Also it would be slick as well.  Besides starting off with the necessary 7, count them, neatly brushed coats would be a bit much.  The annual maintenance coat would also be a hassle.  But, the real killer would come 5 7 years down the road when it would likely need to be stripped off entirely and the whole process started anew. 

   Edited 10/8/2009 9:26 am ET by SteveSchoene

1. 
   Don01 | Oct 08, 2009 09:46pm | #6

   Steve,
   I have no experience with the product so your assessment may be correct as to its on the wood performance.
   I think though, that when someone wants to preserve the visual of the newly cut wood, there has to be options presented along with the appropriate cautions.
   The ePifanes recommended procedure (2-3 thinned initial coats, followed by 4 - 5 full strenghth) has strong merits for applying the right deck product that just might withstand many years of of good use.
   Getting the initial layers in place first time followed by annual maintenance should work well in preventing the need to strip down to bare wood every so often as long as there isn't excessive abrasion from traffic.Don

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 08, 2009 10:35pm | #7

   I use Epifanes on the brightwork on my boat.  It's a great product, but gloss varnish on a deck just doesn't make much sense.  A little dew, and the deck could be a skating rink.  It's a soft varnish, (all spar varnishes are--it's necessary for the flexibility need for exterior applications) and abrasion would be a problem quickly.  As for eventually needing to strip it off, in sunlight every clear finish eventually breaks down.  It's often not the finish film itself that fails, but the adhesion of the film to the wood.  It happens because since light passes through any non-opaque finish, it eventually attacks the lignin on the surface of the wood.  The finish fails from the inside out.  Inside the varnish can last for a very long time.  Sunlight has many consequences.  But stripping is a major bummer. 

   That's the plus of the translucent stain type finishes such as the Messmer's.  It doesn't build a finish.  It's also something you would be comfortable walking on. 

4. 
   GDH2 | Oct 09, 2009 05:07am | #8

   I recently searched through old postings in Fine Homebuilder. The most consistent recommendation was Penofin. I bought their Penetrating Oil Penofin Finish for Hardwood ($50/gallon). The Ipe looks GREAT - but it's only been a month! They recommend a second application in 1-3 months and then 12 months later.

   Doug
   The Wood Loon
   Acton, MA