Outdoor Furniture - Best Wood/Best Finish

Glen Duff

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Jun 27, 2002, 7:01:43 AM6/27/02

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We have a couple of lounges made of some kind of resin. They are both
badly discoloured an ugly grey and do not respond to any cleaning,
bleach, etc. I am thinking of making a couple of lounges out of wood
but am concerned about the durability. They would go under cover for
the winter but would be exposed to lots of rain and sunshine.

Any suggestions on the wood (I'm thinking of western cedar) and
especially the best finish for the project. I'm thinking of a clear
finish that would require minimum maintenance or re-finishing.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Glen Duff
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Pat Barber

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Jun 27, 2002, 11:47:04 AM6/27/02

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You are searching for utopia in wood finishing... It does not exist.

Exterior finishing is the most difficult project you can take on.
The UV element is the back breaker in the entire process.

The most recommended finish I have run across by almost anybody
is an opaque oil finish(basically paint). The next most popular
is a marine grade varnish(very high UV protection) but this will
almost certainly require a "refresher" every year or so...

To my knowledge, a "clear" finish on cedar will last about one
year or less......

Your milage may vary.

(Ever wonder why there are so many paint stores ???)

Charles Self

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Jun 27, 2002, 12:14:28 PM6/27/02

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Glenn Duff asks:

>I am thinking of making a couple of lounges out of wood
>but am concerned about the durability. They would go under cover for
>the winter but would be exposed to lots of rain and sunshine.
>
>Any suggestions on the wood (I'm thinking of western cedar) and
>especially the best finish for the project. I'm thinking of a clear
>finish that would require minimum maintenance or re-finishing.
>

Cedar, cypress, redwood, locust (if you can find any), ipe, teak, jarrah for
woods.

Let 'em weather. All will eventually go gray.

AFAIK, there is NO clear finish for exterior use that doesn't require
refreshing every 2-4 years.

Charlie Self

"We will never give Bill Clinton the opportunity to be the President of the
United States."
-- Vice President Dan Quayle (9/19/92)

Nort...@webtv.net

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Jun 27, 2002, 3:56:56 PM6/27/02

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Check out Sikens 53.....

Bob Schmall

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Jun 27, 2002, 6:40:03 PM6/27/02

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<Nort...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:420-3D1B...@storefull-2294.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> Check out Sikens 53.....

I did, and couldn't find it on their web site. Can you give us some help?

Bob

Larry Jaques

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Jun 28, 2002, 12:29:04 AM6/28/02

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On Thu, 27 Jun 2002 17:40:03 -0500, "Bob Schmall"
<mbsc...@centurytel.net> put up pixels to the effect:

Try Sikkens Cetol. (talk about a long line here)
http://www.onlinemarine.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online_superstore/maintenance/sikkens_cetol_marine_finish.htm?E+scstore
or http://www.nam.sikkens.com/site-map.cfm

---
- Friends don't let friends use FrontPage -
http://diversify.com Dynamic Website Programming

Nort...@webtv.net

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Jun 28, 2002, 12:25:12 AM6/28/02

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AH..... they changed it.. Sikens CETOL now! It's a saltwater marine
varnish. Expensive, but really lasts. Ask at your local paint
dealer. They can probably special order for ya!

Lew Hodgett

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Jun 28, 2002, 1:38:35 AM6/28/02

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<Nort...@webtv.net> writes:

West Marine, Boat US, etc will have it in stock.

If you don't live near one of their retail outlets, they will ship. Both
have an 800#.

HTH

--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: <http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett> for Pictures