Hi all- I am finishing a rocking chair which I constructed in Padauk. I plan on keeping it in a darker corner of a room, etc but I am wondering what the latest and greatest finish is to block the UV rays and slow the darkening of the wood.
I really don’t want to build a thick finish if I can help it. Any great insights or experience?
Thanks.
Replies
The best UV blocker is paint or other opaque coating.
If paint is not in your plans, then use a real marine exterior varnish. Get it at a real marine store or marina. Stay away from the consumer stuff sold in a home center. And stay away from a poly varnish. Follow the directions on the label as to number of coats.
Unfortunately, UV inhibitors require significant film thickness to work well. The UV inhibitors contained in finishes are there to protect the finish, not the wood. UV inhibitors also degrade and lose their effectivenss over time turning cloudy. These finishes need to be periodically renewed by lightly sanding and applying a new coat of finish.
There are excellent furniture quality varnishes with UV blockers that can be applied as a rub-on or mixed with linseed and/or tung oil. The marine varnishes tend to be softer than normal so if you go this route look for one a high solids content.
Edited 8/19/2005 2:43 pm ET by DougF
Walars ,
On a chair such as you describe that will be kept in a room that does not have loads of natural daylight streaming into the room , my thought would be to use water white or non yellowing lacquer . The newer lacquers are formulated to minimize the yellowing caused by UV rays , however there is little we can do to prevent the wood itself from yellowing .
good luck dusty
Best UV blocker
A Cave?
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