Replies

1. 
   troys | May 05, 2008 03:30am | #1

   I think over time maybe as soon as a year the sun will cause the finish if it is a varnish or other topcoat that forms a film on top of the wood will crack and start to fail. Then your looking at having to sand the old finish off and re-finishing. Just my two cents worth I would use a stain like finish that does not form a film, then in a few years or so you can lightly wash the wood then apply fresh coat. Good luck

   Troy

2. 
   SteveSchoene | May 05, 2008 03:39am | #2

   Hugh mistake.  Consumer grade exterior polyurethane isn't likely to hold up past the first season, on the parts that get regular sun.  When this happens you would have to strip off the shaded parts, scrape off the parts where the varnish has lifted, and sand and/or bleach with oxalic acid the parts where it first started to fail and that have now turned grey. 

   Replace that polyurethane with 6 (six)coats of a true marine grade spar varnish, lightly sandied between each coat, such as Epifanes,  Interlux Schooner, or Pettit Captain's , at round about $30 per quart, and you will get through a season--perhaps even two, but when you see the first hint of any dulling of the gloss it is time to scuff sand and add an additional refresher coat. 

   Stain designed for such purposes with pigment, preservative, and mildewcide will last much longer, be easier to apply, and look just fine.  If you really must lavish attention on exterior paint, put a high gloss European gloss enamel on your front door. 

3. 
   PheasantHunter | May 05, 2008 03:50am | #3

   I installed a cedar fence three years ago, the boards I bought at HD were so wet water came out of them when you put a screw in.   I spaced the boards about an 1/8" apart and when they dried they were/are 3/8" apart.  I only bring this up, so you make sure the wood is dry before applying any finish.  I used a traditional solid fence stain on my fence and it looks great after 3 years. 

   Good luck with whatever finish you decide to use.