[jartzh]

What kind of super finish is there that will allow a beautiful piece of wood to stay that way on a covered porch where the suns indirect UV rays will hit it ?

[Eddy Smiles]

I'm going to get blasted but if it was my work and I was going to place it outside where it woud be in the sun I'd makesure that it had a couple of good coats of MINWAX indoor/outdoor HELMSMAN Spar Urethane clear gloss. It's got some UV protection, rain and moisture protection and doesn't generally crack or peal from temperature changes. It's one down side is that like varnish it does yellow with age.

[Alice in Wonderland]

I have a lot of pieces outside and the only thing I use is (lenghty:-) ) the paintshops carry 1-5 grades of BASE PAINt #5 being used for the darkest colors, if you can get 5 ,great I can only get 3 or 4.Don't mix it with anything. Now when you open the can it looks milky but dries very clear and it hardly ever needs touching up( being in a cold climate I take my stuff in during the Winter month)
I hope it helps
Alice

[Scott Hagerty]

Master Clear by Modern Masters. Its not cheap, but it works. They use it out in Cali. on redwood doors and such and it holds up better than most other products.

Scott

[AlArchie]

Keeping that piece under cover of your porch is probably the best thing to keep the finish from breaking down. I've found that there are three things that really effect the durability of finishes and your concern about UV is one of them.

So here they are in my order of importance.

1. Moisture.

2. Temperature changes.

3. UV detrieioration.

Moisture includes both liquid (rain, snow, dew, etc.) and vapor (humidity) so it's important that you thoroughly seal ALL exposed surfaces. That includes front, back, sides and any mounting holes. If moisture gets into the wood the wood will swell, causing the finish to crack, which makes more places for moisture to enter.

Even what we consider normal temperature changes can cause the finishes to expamd and contract at different rates than the wood itself. Result? Separation of the finish from the wood and like moisture swelling, cracks in the finish itself. That then allows moisture to enter.

UV damage is generally to the chenmical configuration of the finish which can result in discoloration and microscopic fissures in the finish. Again this allows moisture to get into the wood, causing that same swelling that does the damage to both the wood itself and the remaining finish.

There are several really good exterior finishes by as many manufactures. I like that Minwax Helmsman spar varnish that Eddy mentioned. That spar varnish is a marine finish designed for WET and SALTY environments and in addition has a high UV resistance. It is also fairly dimentionally stable, but like any finish used outdoors, will have to be re applied occasionally. The problem with ANY varnish or similar finish is that it will have to be stripped off before re-applicacion.

There are several other options in the exterior oil or wax based products, such as the venerable old boiled linseed oil and other similar products. Not quite as short term durable as the exterior varnish types, but much more easilly re-applied. These oils can be simply wiped on over the old finish and will "self heal" . More work, more often but less work in the long haul.

I made a sign for our local animal shelter over ten years ago, used several coats of sanding sealer followed by three coats of Minwax Helmsman, and the sign is still in good shape. All the mounting posts, holes and associated members were thoroughly sealed, so there was no chance of moisture entering the obvious gaps. Our local temps range from -40 degrees F to over 100 F in the summer and lots of humidity. On the down side, I'd rather make them a new sign than try to strip that one down and re-apply the finish.

There are probably different "best" finishes for different areas of the country (desert SW to Pacific NW, to the Great Lakes region to the NE maritime areas) so check with a LOCAL paint or marine supply store for specific recommendations.

Al

[Eddy Smiles]

Thanks Al... Down here in Florida where sand, salt and air meet spar urathane is a tried and true method, just like spar varnish was back in days of "ole" for protecting exterior wood surfaces. And the beauty of it is that in three or four years when it just starts to look ratty you give it a good sanding, hit it with three or four more coats and your good for another four years!

[jartzh]

I really had 2 questions. 1: general best finish. and I think you have answered that. 2: I am doing a life size cedar indian. So resanding is not an option. I need something that can just be reapplied each year. And of course it will crack so I need something that will seal the cracks too.

My first thought was a danish oil to pentrate as deep as possible then a spar varnish on top. but if spar varnish needs to be stripped first then its out.

I need something to seal it. then something to keep UVs out. I thought lacquer was the best sealer and can be reapplied but dont know about UVs.

So to start all over:

How can I finish a cedar indian on a porch to keep it from weathering and losing the beauty of the wood?

[AlArchie]

Given that direct question about the cedar Indian, I'd opt for an oil finish.....BLO, Tung Oil, Walnut Oil, etc.

Or what I think I would do, as the piece will be under cover, leave it natural! No finish, sealer or stain at all. Cedar tends to weather to a great silver gray patina over time. Just look at some of those old barns with the cedar siding. That old barnwood draws an awful retail price IF you can even find it. Even those old cedar fence posts that have set out in the weather for decades develop a charcter that is hard to match. I would think that a Native American face weathering to that ancient cedar patina would be a great effect.

I guess beauty is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder.

Al

[Eddy Smiles]

I think that Al hit on a great idea. If it's under cover and not exposed to moisture and direct sunlight then leaving it natural sounds like a great option.

[jartzh]

Its going to have a lot of glue joints. So I need a finish that will keep the moisture away. And I need to have a finish that the client can reapply periodically. I would think Danish oil would be the ticket but it says INTERIOR. So can it be used outside on a porch?

Its not suppose to be this hard- I thought the carving was the challenge.