wlanut for exterior use? - Woodworking Talk

meticulous 1 · 10-07-2009, 01:22 PM

Hi all! My name is john and I am a professional residential carpenter and new to woodworking and new to this site. I live in Maine, and have a couple of sawhorses stocked with walnut. I recently obtained a very desirable "adopt a spot" location which is the median strip of an intersection. I would like to use this spot to highlight my meticulous nature and stand out from the crowd a bit. I was thinking of using some of the walnut that I have to creat a bit of a showpiece suuround for my company signage. The reasons for wanting to utilize the walnut are these: already paid for in these tight times, it won't show dirt and dust as much as a lighter or wood or Azek or something, atttractive grain and texture. I don't know anything about the use of walnut as an exterior wood. Also, the entire signage and surround assembly would be removed each winter before the snow flies and re- installed each spring (no sense sacrificing perfectly good walnut to the snow plow gods). Any information would be tremendously helpful and I would be tremendously grateful. Thanks

BHOFM · 10-07-2009, 01:55 PM

I think this will answer any questions you have.

http://www.estatemillwork.com/walnut...-shutters.html

Tony B · 10-07-2009, 04:32 PM

The main concern would be protection from the elements. Use a high quality marine finish such as Epifanes and recoat every year. Stay clear of Minwax types of spar varnishes or any other big box store brands. Thay are a joke.
Go to a reputable marine supply store. When it comes to outdoor and marine finishes, you definitely get what you pay for. If you pay less, you definitely get less in the way of quality.

meticulous 1 · 10-07-2009, 11:03 PM

Thank you both for the help with giving me confidence to use walnut for an exterior project, and the tips on finishing the walnut are well received. As with anything in life, we get what we pay for. I started an heirloom walnut crib for my daughter a month or so before she was due to be born. She had other plans, decided to come be with us the next day, and I really haven't been able to get back to it much since. I have the four posts and 8 rails cut, mortised and tenoned, and shaped, but the rest of the stock seems destined elsewhere in trying to keep business coming in. There will be more at the lumberyard when I'm ready to get back and upsize it to a king size bed. Oh yes, I hear it from all my brothers. But two toddlers now and this economy, just need a little patience, right?

red · 10-08-2009, 08:42 AM

Welcome to the forum. I guess you got your answers to the walnut question.

Red