Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Aug 10, 2007 12:16am | #1

   Hi Ralph:

   This question has come up several times in the past few months, so here's my standard advice. Your choice will depend on the level of effort you want to invest in the finishing process, and how often you want to refinish the piece.

   EASY: Leave it unfinished and let it weather to a silvery grey patina.

   MODERATE: Finish the chair with an oil-based outdoor finish available at any home center or hardware store. We recently published a project article for an Ipe outdoor table and the author used a penetrating oil finish from a company called Penofin. Any oil-based finish will require maintenance every year or two.

   HARD: Apply a  heavy-duty epoxy-based wooden boat finish, like the one detailed in this article. It will last as long as 10 years and offer excellent durability. It just requires more effort to apply than the other methods

   If that doesn't get you what you need let me know and I can do some research.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

1. 
   eeprub | Aug 10, 2007 12:32am | #2

   Thanks Matt

   The Penofin looks like the way that I'll go.

   Regards

   Ralph H. Burpee