Replies

1. 
   Quickstep | Feb 17, 2003 05:52am | #1

   Barry,

   If you live in anything resembling an urban environment, oil finishes will attract airborne pollutants and turn black. Some will turn black from mold. Unfortunately, any outdoor finish is a battle between the finish and the sun. The sun will break down clear finishes like varnish, pigmented finishes (like paint) are less prone to break down from  the sun, but hide the beauty of the wood. Some thoughts come to mind, all of which I think require that you get the old finish off first.

   There is a marine teak coating called Cetol which is pigmented which helps battle the sun, but still lets the grain show through. They make a few shades, all of which are varying shades of orange. It ends up being a gloss-semigloss finsih 

   A semi transparant stain will do similar to above, but leave a matte finish.

   Marine Spar varnish will make a beautiful finish, but will require sanding and a new coat at least once a year.

   Consider learning to treasure the way cypress turns grey. 

   If you are truly fond of the chairs, consider buying or making covers for them. A catalog called improvements has covers in various sizes. http://www.improvementscatalog.com/parent.asp?pf%5Fid=223728x&dept%5Fid=320&strFindSpec=&Solutions=&code= 

   I used to walk through the marina and think how silly it was that some people had canvas covers on the wood trim on thier boat. Then I made a new laminated tiller and spent weeks giving it a prefect varnish finish. The next thing I did was to go buy a cover for it!. It stays covered except when in use. It's in its third year with that varnish job. Bottom line is that you can't beat the sun.  

   Good luck