Finish for outside furniture - Woodworking Talk

dbalcom · 07-05-2009, 08:35 AM

I have an outside bench with wrought iron legs and oak board seat. I’m replacing the seat with new oak boards and would like to finish it with something that will weather well.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you.

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RussBoyd · 07-05-2009, 08:52 AM

I'm not sure oak is the proper wood for outside, but as far as a finish, I would use a marine varnish. If it can be used on a boat, I would think it would hold up to your application. But, again, the wood is as important as the finish.

jerry · 07-05-2009, 09:20 AM

I agree white is great for outside red is horrible. Most finishes,including a good quality marine varnish, will need a good deal of maintenance.

ACP · 07-05-2009, 01:07 PM

I too have heard the marine varnish, also known as spar urethane is a good product for that application. I also second the White Oak comments.

cabinetman · 07-05-2009, 08:59 PM

White Oak will fair better than Red Oak. Alternative lumber that would work is Cedar, Cypress, Redwood, and Ipe. For an outdoor finish the easiest to maintain would be a pure oil finish, like BLO.

Rick Mosher · 07-05-2009, 09:33 PM

Dissolve 1 part of paraffin wax by weight to 1 part of turpentine. Just leave it overnight and it should melt right in. Now add 1 part of boiled linseed oil. Saturate the wood with this every day for 3 days. Now it is just a matter of applying this mixture once a year religiously and it should hold up quite nicely twice a year is even better.

Jim Tank · 07-06-2009, 07:18 AM

My large trailer used for hauling the tractor around has a 2"thick red oak bed that's exposed to all weather and road salt in the winter. Once a year I spray used motor oil and let it soak (all it can take). It looks as nice as most of the furniture that goes out of here, except for the tire marks. I prefer Valvoline 30 weight.

Gerry KIERNAN · 07-07-2009, 09:33 AM

My inclination for finishing outside wooden furniture is a good quality stain. Stain can be refinished easily when it starts to fade, with a minimum of sanding. Pretty well any of the varnishes, even of the best quality, will eventually start to crack, split, lift, and peel. The refinishing job after that is a real chore. I have not tried oil finishes, so I don't know how they stand up.

Gerry