You can do it until at least 220grit or even go up to a maximum of 600. Do you have any suggestions? Basically, Id like it to feel smooth, not fade quickly, and look good. It no longer fits our decor after 20 years and is going outside for the summers by the hot tub fence. This is in Michigan. I would be curious to hear how that worked out for you. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely our own. Ive stripped enough film formers to know how much fun that is not. You can use it for a rustic garden set, durable exterior door, or even a woody resting place for your kids outside. Thankfully, both culprits are relatively easy to combat. The only way to get it is online. What can I apply to help it last? Ive never found anything that lasts for a long time in the sun.Thats why I used Trex on my deck. Now I want to paint the legs and base and stain the bench and table top. I like the color it tinted it after wards and so far it still looks nice. I would not mind reapplying a sealer every few years but I really do not want to sand the finish off again. Howard Citrus Shield Paste Wax enhances the natural beauty of any finished or unfinished wood. I really like Epifanes. Display Racks; Flag Display; Quilting Items; Shelves; Board Games; Fireplaces; Mirrors; Pet Dishes; . I live in southern Austria, so temperatures ranging from +30. That project will probably be rebuilding my daughters playset. This type of wood is a popular choice for exterior renovation, decks, fences, garden sets, and more. With surface dirt, cleaning with a mild non-phosphate detergent solution from time to time should be enough to restore and retain your woods beautiful color. Interesting information from everyone. If the surface is soiled, it may be scrubbed with a mild detergent solution. My garden furniture is out all year round, and I dont have a problem with grey. I think it will need more frequent re-coating? Utilizing Cedar is the best decision if youre after durability and longevity. Applied with a brush. Wall Accents. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. My advice would be to either ask in a woodworking/finishing forum for some general advice, and contact your local paint store. Sand First: Before painting, sand the surface down to bare wood (or use a chemical wood stripper), so your primer will adhere well to the wood. It may be my site but its the community that makes it great, so post away! The bench will be on a porch, subject to occasional windblown rain and maybe very low sun angles. Stucco is a fantastic exterior cladding for . My latest education consists of trying out different Rustoleum products to find out what works good for specific tasks. Not sure about the mildew though. After a lot of research Ive opted for the marine varnish Epifanes Clear varnish for a new walnut front door that receives virtually no direct sun. It survived 5 years in San Diego without a problem. Instead, Id love to hear what specific products youve used in the past, what your climate is, and how the products have held up over time. Each time its been coated with a water-based acrylic topcoat. When it comes to cedar that's used outdoors for decks, fences, siding, and furniture, it's important to use an appropriate stain. Note that changing from a film-forming to a penetrating finish sometimes does not give satisfactory results because residual paint inhibits absorption. Im still apprehensive about it because it might darken the wood over time. Get pricing online using our custom quote request form below, or call us now: 1-(800) 597-7191 In order to give you the most accurate quote, we will need specific size, species, and grade information before we can prepare a custom estimate. To top it up, you can apply a thin coat of wax for polishing, but again, this is optional and not mandatory. One of the keys to an excellent finish is exceptional surface preparation. Its OK to giggle a little, BUT not alot :-) Been using this method quite a while with excellent results in Northern Wisconsin climates. Im also planning to use straight boiled linseed oil on my custom built cedar doors on my shed and garage. First, you have to kill the mildew with an oxygen bleach solution or commercial mildew remover. and I forgot, All Rights Reserved. Really want the wood grain to show with a satin finish. Here is the link: http://www.bristolfinish.com/ Well.you see where that got me. 5 Best Clear Cedar Finish for Outdoors 1. There is no need for sanding or stripping if youre doing a maintenance coat. This is an mazing wealth of information, but would like an opinion on my project. I assume when you say I need a good film finish you are referring to the varnish, right? Although quick and easy, sandblasting and pressurized water spray are not recommended unless extreme care is taken to avoid damage to the woods surface. I would suggest finding a water-based gloss poly for something like this. I am researching everywhere to find out what my problem is. Disadvantages: Less protection and more frequent maintenance. Deck stains dont last very long either. Have seen that volume soluble solids is a good indicator of stain quality. Have you received any feedback/suggestions yet? That protection might be short-lived, though, so be prepared to remove the finish every year or two, then reapply. it will change the color in a way you probably wont like. Thats a pretty big concern here too. As an aside, a few years prior I refinished a side door to the garage with Spar Varnish (before I knew of Cetol) and it started peeling after 18 months. I typically start with blending it into a Danish Oil (BLO + Terp) and then bring up the Epifanes % with each successive coat. this will be a 3/4 plywood core with 5/4 cedar or teak on each side. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. any warnings or advice? Its just one of the options we have available for diluting oil-based finishes. Wow, a lot of comments and information here. On the opposite end of the scale, we have film-forming finishes. Weathered water-repellent preservative finishes should be cleaned with a non-ferrous bristle brush to remove loose fibers and dirt. While it has not had enough time to give it a true test, I use General Finishes outdoor oil. it was McCloskeys Man OWar Glossy, this spring i have to try and fix a scratch that someone put down the front of it. I have a mahogany front door that faces east. Wipe away the dust with a damp rag and brush on your new varnish. My son wants to treat it with clear floor epoxy. Blessed with an eye for potential, David Willett looked at his dark, unfinished 112-car garage built in 1956 and saw the bones of a workshop. She has re waxed it twice in about 5 years and it still looks new. The latter can protect the surface while keeping the natural aroma and inherent properties of the material. Would love to hear your thoughts. I was surprised that the wood absorbed yet dissipated the wet making this chair the drier choice with just a little sun. Rick, Here is an interesting product we have been using. the entire project. Besides, the protective barrier of Minwax ensures that the wood withstands the rain and moisture outside. Its dry, not sticky but will smudge or scratch when touched together. Experience. It needed maintenance after -9 months. Is there a finish that can be used overtop and will not damage the sticker? Very well actually. Advantages: Thick protective barrier keeps the wood safe and offers a strong first line of defense against the elements. He often used bees wax to finish bowls and utensils or anything that would touch food. It is these characteristics that make Western Red Cedar suitable for exterior use for many outdoor applications. I have been reading that Hopes Tung Oil is good, but honestly, I have never used that before. Im going to use it on some Adirondack chairs Im building. Fir and mahogany are great exterior woods, but theres nothing wrong with pine the trick is to construct your piece to last and it will. All content on The Wood Whisperer is copyrighted, and may not be reprinted in full form without my written consent. Indeed, a suitable product if youre after a quick and smooth finish. On top of the quality piece, take into consideration the products you need for further protection and functionality. How do you judge a high quality varnish? what kind of grit to you go into for the second and third coat? What Im referring to with this general category is a finish that doesnt build an appreciable film, whether it contains additives or not. The matte over coat achieved three things: muted the gloss of the epoxy, provided UV inhibitors and unexpectedly counteracted the appearance of depth in the epoxy which I was delighted to discover. Poor practices at construction sites, building design, and improper installation all have a negative impact on the performance of Western Red Cedar and coatings applied to it. For the cypress I am leaning toward oils (probably the marine grade penofin) and just planning on keeping up on the finish. My husband and I are retired, and dont want a lot of maintenance! It is suitable for almost all types of Cedar but complements best the light-colored and stained ones. Regardles of how you finish a piece its location will effect its endurance. Hi Marc, The door is very dry and faded towards the bottom. In addition to selling new outdoor furniture, we have in-house upholstery and service department for all of your commercial and . Heres how: Ideally, you want to apply a finish to all six sides of your wood before installing them or better yet, opt for factory applied finishes. So, in summary, it will need protection from water, mildew, while adding/protecting darker tint and I do not want to have to sand and refinish multiple coats every year, though I think wiping down or spraying with oil or an alternative would be ok . He said it took about 3 weeks to dry but the finish lasted 20 years. These all hold up well if applied to a properly prepared surface. I am removing the old finish. Mostly on treated decks. I prefer to use 100% pure Tung oil, thinned with naptha. We also carry a huge selection of high-end white cedar log outdoor furniture, including white cedar chairs, white cedar outdoor tables, white cedar benches and more. Then youll probably have to do something about it. This type of wood is a popular choice for exterior renovation, decks, fences, garden sets, and more. Then there is easy to apply or not. I use Thompsons Timber Oil (Clear) on the mahogany floor on my front porch and a couple of pieces of cedar outdoor furniture. The surface should be thoroughly rinsed and allowed to dry completely before refinishing. But if that doesnt suit your personal palette, theres a wide range of finishing products you can apply to retain, or alter, your woods color. I previously had ones that have disintegrated to the point of falling off their post. The patented formula of this wood protector can preserve the natural color of your cedar wood and enhance its durability for years. You can then flood the surface with a clear sealer coat (specifically for outdoor) and wipe it off. FWW did a year-long test awhile ago and that was the only one (yes, with the manufacturer-recommended 7 coats) that lasted a year outdoors with no degradation. My problem is that I cant figure out what to finish the fence with and whether I try to match it to my deck or not. Aside from clear Cedar, Howard paste wax can also be used in painted surfaces, concrete, marble, and metal. And it might even react with it in some way that wont be pleasant. Application ease and service life are the two major differences between these finishes. Basically, its the finish taking the beating instead of the wood. Additives Adding mildewcide gives the finish more resistance to mold and mildew. Unfinished garage becomes a woodworking haven. While preparation sounds simple it is often ?glossed over? And I have to say that a result exceeded our expectation. What's the best option? Excellent information on this post thank you. In addition to furniture design and construction, we are a full service lumber yard specializing in redwood and cedar, natural wood fencing, landscaping materials and industrial insulation. The Global Warping Effect (Video) It holds up nicely over the season but requires yearly attention to stay in very good condition (which it says on the can, I believe). To others longevity. I on the ocean in New York and have a set of Eucalyptus deck furniture which after one year has turned an uneven dark gray even though I used oil on it after a few months. Yes, you can absolutely do nothing with your cedar wood because of its outstanding inherent properties. What exactly would you like to know? We just bought a new, unfinished cypress swing for the back yard (MN, in the woods). The finish on the solid stains is like egg-shell finish on interior paint. Hand wash periodically with mild detergent and a soft rag, and rinse with a hose. I plan on building the Adirondack Chairs sometime in the future and this is good food for thought. This method is not one of my personal favorites, but it is certainly something to consider. It does grey after a few years but Ive got one piece that has lasted for 10 years without maintenance. Marc, I saw awhile back that you had a video of mixing boiled linseed oil, Epifanes spar urathane, and naptha for an exterior wood doorHow has that been holding up? A lot will depend upon where the furniture is kept in the sun, shade, on earth, cement or stone patio. I would use an oil finish if I were to choose a finish for them. Fortunately though, you should never have to completely strip and refinish. A long-lasting shine is something this product is taking pride in. Anyone care to comment on how they would paint a pressure treated picnic table thats weathered for six months in the Northeast using whats on the shelf in Home Depot. To recoat just was and reseal. Difference Between Spar Varnish and Regular Varnish, http://www.mlcampbell.com/prod..uro_series, http://www.youtube.com/user/bo..ature=mhee, http://www.freeworldenvirotech..oduct/8/19, http://www.sikkens.us/en/Produ..240-4b.pdf, http://www.cetol.com.ar/ficha_..llante.pdf, http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ..VGHHNKADFE, http://www.thewoodwhisperer.co..or-finish/. That means the table dented and scratched easily. On flat-grained wood, the surface should be scuff-sanded with 50-60 grit sandpaper. Good luck! So probably a water-based spar varnish or something like General Finishes Exterior 450. http://www.cetol.com.ar/ficha_..llante.pdf http://www.mlcampbell.com/prod..uro_series. For the exterior only, Im considering three options: (1) Linseed (Sunnyside Corporation 872G1S for example), which is recommended by several sites. Caution:Never mix bleach with detergent containing ammonia as the fumes can be harmful or fatal. Might just take a little experimentation to make sure the materials are compatible. Nah. And if given the option, the darker tint is also a preference. The man who used it said it was expensive but great. Do I hope that it cures eventually or do I sand it off right away and move forward (dont want to, too much hours), or rub it off with mineral spirits? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Thank you! It looks great, just wondering if I could put something on it to give it some gloss or should I be grateful it came out so nice? Bummer. You can use soap and warm water to clean the surface up after application. Theres a product called CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) that works very well for this as it is quite thin. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These stains are exterior grade, contain sealers, and will. One bench I have had for 4 years is looking great and I will probably refinish it this year if I dont get too busy with other stuff. I have started using Western Red Cedar on decks and outdoor furniture for the last couple years and after doing the research I discovered TWP. I have used it once and loved it. I have a 2 inch slab of redwood that is meant to be an outdoor bar top. Wipe on, wipe off Daniel-san. Shop Wayfair for the best cedar finish outdoor furniture. I was thinking a good dose of wood preservative and then a penetrating oil. Goes to show you its the sun and rain that does it in mostly. Ive read through this thread, and done a ton of research, and still cant find the answer to what is the best finish for exterior cedar furniture something that will protect it and keep its natural colouring. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Epifanes Clear Gloss Varnish holds up well but also requires yearly attention to stay very nice outdoors. Just lay down some towels, rub in some BLO and I am done in a few minutes. These windows get full sun every day. He painted on melted wax and baked it in using an oven. I sanded the door completely down and i stained it a dark mohagany and applied a teak oil finish but it is really blochy and uneven i need some advice please can you help. At Cedarwood Furniture, we carry a complete collection of Western red cedar wood outdoor furniture that enables you to furnish your outdoor space exactly the way . I wish I had the time to agonize over what specialty product to paint a chair with but instead Ive simply been learning the ins and outs of using whats on the shelf at Home Depot. They have a few outdoor finishes from EuroX Clear to a pigmented version. The house is large and soaked up 35 gallons of stain. General Finishes makes an outdoor formulation called Exterior 450 that I think would be good for you: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ..VGHHNKADFE. I have a Cedar indoor table/desk (a modern parsons design) I generally dont use wax at all, interior or exterior. This is Wisconsin so extreme temperatures and humidity. As say Peter Elliott and Moshe Livne, there are new products called lasur (term of French origin), developed since the 60s, failed to varnishes, and are easy to apply. Hey Harry. Thanks for any recommendations. Ive heard that most products dont stand up well to uv rays. Researchers at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory have not been able to duplicate paint failure by glazing at the surface. That table moved with me to Guam for 3 years, and now Hawaii for 3 years. Cedar oil for an outdoor finish Cedar is a rewarding type of wood that you can use for many applications. Check these posts out: Ultimately, the choice comes down to how much you're willing to spend for the best-performing formulations, the importance you place on the wood looking as natural as possible, and how much maintenance you want to undertake. If this door will see a lot of sunlight and rainwarn your customer it will need 2 or more coats of spar varnish every few years. Our outdoor cedar wood furniture naturally repels rot, insects and weather damage. With only basic woodworking skills, a tablesaw, and a few simple tools, you can make custom cabinets for your home or shop. Time will tell, but I like the concept of this product as it is a mineral based preservative, comes in a powder form you mix into water and easy to apply. It is durable but quickly weathers under the influence of sun and rain and then takes on a silver-grey look that is often blotchy. Just keep in mind this finish will require more frequent attention in the future. I have heard good things about that brand from local woodworkers but wanted an expert opinion. It will last forever. But why the catastrophic failure??? By the way we live in Northern Ohio . I get that it needs to have some kind of UV protection any suggestions? (It will be stored in our barn when not being used). It restrains color loss, fading, and premature graying by dispersing tiny zinc particles throughout the stained surface. I can dry it inside garage with some fax on end grain for several weeks? Get it Mar 9 - 13. Yes. I have used it on cedar and mahogany. But I cant really think of any specific reason NOT to use it either. My moms salad bowl and servers have lasted over 50 years of washing without re-application. Painting is 98% preparation and 2% application. My question to you is this. Look up some companies that offer quality ones, get the best deal, and start your renovation. Strip, sand, and refinish with a high quality varnish. Best 5 Clear Cedar Finishes for Outdoor in 2021 Utilizing Cedar is the best decision if you're after durability and longevity. It aged more with one winter in Washington DC than the first five years in direct sun. It will age and turn gray. From the ski lodge to the lake house, our white cedar log furniture provides the absolute best in rustic charm. Is that only for waterbased? I put an exterior oil stain on every 2-3 years to protect the table top and bench tops which makes it a lot easier to clean after a cookout. On the other hand I also have a table and bench set, spruce construction grade, which I made at the same time. But what is the best procedure to successfully get that best-looking and remarkable result? First, this table received full sun exposure in Denver. We are against spam. Benjamin, I used Waterlox marine extensively on the douglas fir trim and even a small outdoor bar for 6 years on my house in San Diego. Many of the uninformed have attributed some coating failures on Western Red Cedar to Mill Glaze. We maintain wooden boats and use Sikkens on some parts of some of them (trim, handrails, etc.). Hope to be onboard with the next guild build. The wood is too discolored to use any clear product. OK, so what matters? BUT thats not all. Certainly things to keep in mind when I finally do get around to my first outdoor project. My 30+ year old B&D WorkMate was stolen, so I just purchased a new one (model 425). Backyard Discovery Arlington 12x12 All Cedar Gazebo, Walnut, Insulated Steel Roof, Water Resistant, Wind Resistant up to 100 MPH, Withstand 7,886 lbs of Snow . Any suggestions? But, when it comes to restoring color thats been altered by mildew, theres a little more involved. Disadvantages: When film finishes fail, they tend to flake off and look like crap. I am getting very overwhelmed with all this info I have been indulging in! I made pine chairs which are 13 years old now and aside from a few loose screws (the wood, not in my head) they have held up pretty nicely. Im in the final phase of finishing a new B-grade redwood deck with full sun exposure that Im trying to decide what product to finish it with. Avoid an oil finish if you frequently experience dry months and opt for a clear or natural one for your Cedar. I used Western What would you recommend? Get it Mar 9 - 13. The natural oils present in every piece act as natural preservatives. I am in the deck restoration business. I thought about a dark brown stain for everything but Im hesitant to stain my new redwood fence with any stain that is going to take away from the beautiful natural wood look. Exterior cedar furniture left untreated naturally develops a silver-gray patina as it weathers over time. I have read this thread multiple times, and each time I convince myself of a different method of finish. To get away from that, you need to use water-based products or a solvent based solution that is considered water white. So be sure to test this product out on scrap before committing the entire project. But I recall years ago, lots of folks were using clear oil-based paint base as a finish. But clicking on these links wont cost you any extra money, it will help us keep this website running. It leaves a more natural finish without sheen or much of a surface coat (desired for me). Sikkens?? I did it because I didnt realize the outdoor oil would want to soak into the wood. Given this, please assume that any links leading you to products or services are affiliate links that we will receive compensation from. (only minus: not for ball room floors, and not the expected look/feel for all furniture), for deck: im still considering oil and even wax over oil but unsure WHICH oil doesent attract mold (tung is ok). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Well to be more accurate, I dont know of a commercially-available additive for this purpose. That said, no finish lasts forever. Surface preparation is not necessary for textured cedar. Hi Katelyn. I cut in lines resembling planks did some brush strokes first then went over it with bear stain and sealer. What should I use as a stain? The causes of degradation are many and have been discussed in the preceding pages. Others might think in terms or showing off the wood grain or covering it up. I read through 3 years of Q&A on here and am overloaded. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I am considering purchasing a custom-made gorgeous Adirondack rocking chair made out of Southern Cypress. I cant spend my entire life on fence maintenance, but still want a nice look. BLO can also be used, but may add an ambering effect. search youll see. The product contains a unique blend of linseed which protects dense wood and increases the durability of any piece of furniture. Use stainless steel hardware and waterproof adhesives whenever you can. Big? If you dont like the deck rail look of a thick film finish, oils are probably your best bet. Should I strip and refinish or just lightly sand and apply new varnish? When dry I went over them with WACO oil, about 6 to 7 coats. So-called "spar" or "marine" varnishes allow you to see the wood grain but come with distinct disadvantages. You can leave it unfinished or settle with a clear coat as the wood would gradually weather into a grayish shade or silvery one.