Replies

1. 
   Rich14 | Jun 26, 2005 10:47am | #1

   73MAV

   You need a product hat is very hard to withstand foot traffic and may have to withstand UV exposure, depending on the location.

   Since you are considering Varathane, they make an exterior, waterbased urethane varnish they call "Diamond" that is incredibly esay to apply and incredibly durable. It does not darken the wood at all and does not yellow.

   I have used it on maple and oak. I can attest to its hardness, I don't know yet about UV durability, but after a year on 2 projects, it has shown no failure.

   Sand to 180-220 and apply the first coat without overdoing it. The first coat will raise the grain. No problem. It dries very, very fast. Sand the raised grain and any dust nibs with 320. You won't get all they "valleys," so don't try. Apply another thin coat and sand any more raised grain back, too. You can sand after 2 hours.

   Then apply 2 to 3 more full coats. Just lay it down (don't brush back and forth) in one direction. Don't play with it or try to even out brush marks. It will do that itself. It levels beautifully. Scuff sand each coat. I like to wait a day after each full coat. After several coats, there will be no more "hills and valleys" in the finish, it will sand very evenly. The last coat will level out like glass.

   It is very hard after a day, but gets much harder over 1-2 weeks.

   Rich

1. 
   user-26798 | Jul 08, 2005 07:14pm | #4

   Rich,

   Thanks for the advice.  I've been busy, busy, busy and haven't had time to reply to your message.  I could not find the Diamond product from Varathane in any quantity other than one gallon.  That was going to be quite pricey for the amount I actually needed, so I sprayed on 5 coats of exterior semi gloss varnish instead.  Thanks again.

   -Scott

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 26, 2005 06:50pm | #2

   First, be sure you start out with white oak, not red oak.  Red oak does not stand up in a moist or wet environment.

   You can certainly use any exterior varnish but I would not use anything containing urethane.  Polyurethane does not stand up to UV. 

   Finally, varnishes, including poly varnishes, require 3-4 weeks to develop full adhesion and durability.  Stay off it during that time for best long term performance.

   Howie.........
1. 
   user-26798 | Jul 08, 2005 07:31pm | #5

   Thanks for the advice Howie.  I did select white oak for the threshhold because I had read some time back that the sap that is found in the pores of the wood actually makes it suitable for use in water tight vessels.  Anyway, I went ahead and sprayed it with 5 coats of exterior varnish.  It looks good now I'll just have to wait to see how it holds up.

   -Scott

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 28, 2005 12:59am | #3

   I'd paint it in a good quality Epoxy or Enamel paint... BOTH SIDES and the ends...

1. 
   user-26798 | Jul 08, 2005 07:33pm | #6

   Will, I had initially considered painting it, but I would have hated myself for covering up the beauty of the wood.  I decided on varnish for the finish.

   -Scott