Replies

1. 
   Kevin | May 28, 2003 06:58pm | #1

   I've never deliberately finished bamboo. But, my DuPont paint jobber supplies me with free bundles of paint stir sticks that are bamboo. I haven't noticed anything unusual or inherently different about the bamboo in terms of how well the various kinds of paints and stains interact with the bamboo stir sticks. So... if it were me, I'd not treat bamboo any differently than I would a hardwood under the same exterior criteria.

   I've seen bamboo table tops that are basically a bajillion bamboo sticks glued together and I must say that it looks very cool to me.

   Regards,

   Kevin

1. 
   wyingst | May 29, 2003 01:50am | #4

   thx kevin

2. 
   myshkin | May 29, 2003 01:21am | #2

   Bamboo has a natural wax that raises to its surface.  After air-drying, this surface must be sanded and wiped down with a solvent, or almost any finish will peel off in short order.  If properly prepared, any good UV resistant exterior finsh (aka marine) can be applied.  A lot of these finishes try to mimic old-fashioned varnishes, so purposely "yellow" the wood.  (Such as Cetol.)  Modern urethanes can be crystal clear. 

   I can report that bamboo is experiencing an incredible growth spurt as a material of interest to craftspeople as well as gardeners.  Much new material is now available online and in print.

1. 
   wyingst | May 29, 2003 01:51am | #5

   by solvent i assume you mean somehting like mineral spirits or naptha? 

   thx for your response

3. 
   theRev | May 29, 2003 01:41am | #3

   I'm not sure anything will help it keep the green color, if that is what you are after. Some bamboo craftsmen will heat the bamboo over a torch to seal the color in. You'll have to experiment.

   However, the best advice I can give you would be to contact my friend, Doug Lingen. He lived here in Japan many years and actually studied under some bamboo craftsmen. He currently gives several seminars a year in the US on the building of bamboo garden fixtures/fences etc. He now lives in Calif. and builds beautiful timberframe houses.

   His e-mail:

   http://www.sierratimberframers.com/contact.html

   Good luck.

   Scott

1. 
   wyingst | May 29, 2003 01:53am | #6

   wow - thx "rev" for passing me along to your friend.