Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Jul 08, 2007 01:12am | #1

   There are quite a few exterior varnishes available in a satin sheen. One you can find at Lowes is by Olympic. There are some marine products like Blackfriars, Epiphanes and Val-Spar. This is a new one to me but I haven't tried it yet.

   http://www.earthbornpaints.co.uk/products/proaqua/satinvarnish.htm

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   Roger99 | Jul 08, 2007 06:46am | #2

   Hi; I found this on this web site awhile back and saved it. I hope this works for you. Roger. 

   I recommend you use oil based products to achieve the color you desire, then finish the doors with either (the absolute top of the line) S-W oil base for the darkest tints, or Olympic #5 tint base (available at Lowes, but most stores will have to order the #5 ... don't go for the #3 or #4.).  In both cases with NO color added.  Ignore the S-W salesman who will insist the UV inhibitors and mildewcides are in the colors, or go with the Olympic.  These products will be opaque in the can, but will dry clear, and in my opinion, darken the shade imperceptively ..... with no deterioration or color shift after 5 years+ exposure. I have some examples with S exposures in W-F TX that are unchanged after 12 years without attention.  Pretty dry there, but the sun is unforgiving.  Samples in TN starting to lift at the edges after eight years, but very wet, lots of splash from concrete .... and galvanized tin only lasts ten years max there!

   This stuff beats every spar product I'd found, but I haven't needed to try those products from Liberty Paint Co. on exterior exposures.  Their stuff is fantastic on interior furniture & woodwork.  Some of the two component products might do as well, but haven't felt like trying them.

   John in Texas

    

3. 
   SteveSchoene | Jul 08, 2007 02:00pm | #3

   The quality products for protecting wood from the sun are designed for the yacht industry.  The dominant esthetic on boats calls for high gloss.  But gloss varnish is also more durable in the sun.  I'm not exactly sure why, but it may be that the rougher surface on satin varnish causes less light to be reflected and more to be absorbed--at least at some angles--which is a bad thing since it is almost exclusively UV light that damages exterior finishes.  Epifanes makes a product called Wood Finish Matte which does have UV protectors, but the company still says that Gloss is more durable. 

   Forget about products you can buy at any of the big boxes.  Whenever systematic comparison testing has been done, these have failed in MUCH less time than the products manufacturered for the marine industry.  There are only three marine spar varnish products you should consider.  Epifanes Clear High Gloss, Interlux Schooner, or Pettit Captain's.  This will cost in the neighborhood of $25 per quart.  They require about 6-8 coats initially, and a maintenance coat about annually in full sun. 

   The mythology of the un-tinted paint base resurfaces.  This is an untested idea, which I believe originated on the finishing forum of the four-letter magazine, that I can't imagine would work.  (By untested I mean with systematic tests--there have been a few anecdotal tests reported.)  Yes, this material has UV protectants added--dark paint is more vulnerable to light that lighter colors.  But, since pigment, even dark, protects the wood and the lower layers of finish more that clear finishes there is less need than with clear finishes.  Since the paint manufacturers have a retail price point of about $35 per gallon to meet, they have less incentive to add expensive ingredients than the marine clear finish makers, who have a $25+ per quart price point. 

   If you really want the finish to hold up, make sure the door gets plenty of shade during the day.