To Finish or Not To Finish – That is my question.
I have built a “Garden Bench” complete with slats for a back and contoured rails for the seat. I constructed it from white oak since the pours are closed and should not wick moisture. The bench will sit out of doors in the sun and rain of Western NC. I have been hesitating to put a finish on it since I wanted it to weather uniformly to a blue-gray color. Re-finishing with say spar varnish, would be difficult due to the large number of rails with small space between them that would have to be sanded, etc.
A friend has advised me to put a finish on the bench since white oak will turn black with age. Is this true? I have considered Cabot deck finish, which I have used before on cypress exposed to the elements. However, there were spots of mildew and mold after a year or so exposure. Fortunately these spots came off with bleach.
Has anyone had experience with white oak use our-of-doors?
Replies
Sikkens or Penofin
Yes, the tannin in white oak will react with minerals in rainwater and will turn black. With the acid rain in western North Carolina leaving it unfinished will be a risk.
Also, no clear finish really lasts outdoors more than a year or two. I would recommend a semi-transparent deck stain.
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