Seal Coat under Epifanes varnish for exterior door?
royturning
| Posted in General Discussion on
So I’m about ready to put a finish on a new, white oak, storm door and I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to put a 1:1 coat of Seal Coat/denatured alcohol on before the stain goes down. I like the slight color that the Seal Coat adds under the stain on my test pieces.
Directions on the Zinsser Seal Coat say it’s for indoor use but I’m thinking the three or more coats of Epifanes will seal in the shellac. I sent a email to Epifanes asking this question but they never answered. I’m guessing they don’t like to comment on another companies products.
Replies
I wouldn't use shellac at any stage on an outdoor project.
It would be better to apply your stain directly to the wood and then apply the Epifanes. You could also add some color tint directly to the Epifanes if you prefer.
2 coats of West System clear Epoxy, then 2 or 3 coats of Epiphanes. Impervious to moisture and other outdoor elements.
I wouldn't use shellac at any stage on an outdoor project.
I used to varnish exterior teak on yachts for a living. Teak is oily and wants to repel finishes so the following advice is based on that, but the industry standard was thin the first coat 50%, thin the second coat 20-25%. Those two coats were the seal coat. After that, it was build up coats thinned 10% (or so - weather depending).
When dealing with varnishes, it's better to just thin the varnish for a seal coat, that way you take chemical incompatibility out of the mix.
Here's a trick for your top coat; buy a one pint can of Epiphanes and save it for your top coat. Once you open a can, it's beginning to cure. That's fine for the seal coats and build up coats, but for the top coat, a fresh can will make a noticeable difference
I should have posted my end solution last November. After applying the stain and letting it dry completely I thinned the Epiphanes per their directions and did four coats until I was using it full strength. Got through the winter just fine and now it's August and it still looks like new. I'm glad I didn't go for the shellac.
Thanks for the update, and congrats!!
I use epiphanes on my exterior rail cap, and it works wonderfully. I used epoxy sealer for the seal coat, and then epiphanes for the top ones. You must monitor you finish closely as it ages (typically 6 or more months). Once you see what look like stress lines in the finish, it is time to do a scruff sanding of the finish, and lay down a fresh coat or two of epiphanes. If you wait until it starts for fail, you have way more work to do to restore it. Keep up with frequent fresh coats after a light sanding and you will be good. Going on 15 years now for the current finish with a refresh every 9 months or so.
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