I’m building a table to go on our screened in porch. As it will get wet occasionally from rain blowing in, I’m using spanish cedar. Is it best to finish this with some sort of protectant or can I just leave it bare? The wood is nice and doesn’t need any finish from an aesthetic point of view. But I have no experience with this wood and outdoor furniture in general so just wondering what will preserve it the best and how to maintain it.
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Replies
It will go gray from UV but will be fine. With nothing on it you might get stains, but it's an outdoor table, right? Getting wet is no problem as long as it can also get dry. Nail on those little plastic feet and it will last forever.
If you hate it when it goes gray sand it down a bit and hit it with some deck stain.
Thanks. I was hoping that was the right answer:-)
At the other end of the spectrum of finishes is a spar varnish. Brightwork on boats made of mahogany are stained with an reddish gel stain and varnished with many coats of oil based alkyd varnish. (You know that Spanish cedar is neither Spanish nor cedar ) .