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I recently had a request for some of my outdoor furniture with a high gloss spar finish or an oil. I generally make and sell my outdoor furniture unfinished of teak, mahogany or cypress-for those with a tighter budget. I explain that unfinished is the look of choice once it weathers. But they still like the idea of a regularly maintained finished look.
1. Should all sides of a bench, chair and table be coated with the finish including the underside which will never see sunlight. I am concerned about moisture content and how it would migrate with unfinished and finished surfaces?
2. What are some of the best oils and spars on the market.
3. What are some other finishes to suggest and maybe you can steer me clear of finishes which are difficult to use or Extremely time consuming.
I may just tell them to finish themselves so I do not have to guaranty the finish for a year or however long is reasonable. However, I may have this request again and I would like to satisfy my clients-my furniture is expensive and I work by referral only. Thanks for your input.
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Robert, To the best of my knowledge to control moisture and warpage both surfaces do need to be sealed. As for what to use I have had good luck with Epoxy Paint. It is very hard and UV stable. The only other paint that I have used is Marine Spar Varnish. Hope this helps Chris
*To my mind it's all surfaces. You leave the bottom unfinished, the moisture gets into the wood, sun shines, and before you can say "bob's yer uncle" you got moisture right under the finish, maybe 200F temps on the wood surface, and the included moisture just boils and blows away the finish. Don't matter if it's ultimoprimolifetimegauranteed. It's gonna fail.Doors are required to be finished on all 6 surfaces,mouldings and cabinets on exterior walls are supposed to be back primed, according to specsThere are all kinds of funny things that happen, but if ya wanted to be prudent,why doncha phone up yer state or provincial parks board and ask them for a copy of the specs on refinishing picnic tables in state/prov parks. Seen em once and it was scarey. first coat of this, thinned to that, additive such and such, second coat, thinned to this, additive that, dryed so many days, third coat this that and the other thing. Never did bid on it.But I betcha they got it figured out which finish lasts the longest.....moreso than yer local paint dealer.Cowtown Eric
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