The color of aged cypress

[DaveSolly]

I just got finished making the first of many Adirondack Chairs from
cypress.
My wife wants the color to remain the creamy golden color it is now.
She does
not want it to turn the silver/gray of aged cedar or redwood.

My question is..... what color does cypress age to when outside in
the
elements?

If I have to put a finish on the wood to preserve to color, can
anyone
recommend a brand? I would assume that it should be a pentrating
finish with
a high UV resistance or a soft varnish so the seasonal movement of
the wood
would not crack the finish. Since the chair will be pool side, it
should also
resist the clorine from the water.

All help appreicated.

Thanks

Dave.

[Nick C. Buchholz]

DaveSolly (dave...@aol.com) wrote:
: If I have to put a finish on the wood to preserve to color, can

: anyone
: recommend a brand? I would assume that it should be a pentrating
: finish with
: a high UV resistance or a soft varnish so the seasonal movement of
: the wood

Try Behr Tung Oil finish with UVI It requires periodic re doing but preserves the color for a long time.

Nick
--
buch...@noao.edu | "Time is an illusion, Lunchtime doubly so"
| - Ford Prefect
Time is an illusion perpetrated by the manufacturers of space.

[Marrin Fleet]

In article <2sdr7e$q...@search01.news.aol.com>, dave...@aol.com (DaveSolly) writes:
> I just got finished making the first of many Adirondack Chairs from
> cypress.
> My wife wants the color to remain the creamy golden color it is now.
> She does
> not want it to turn the silver/gray of aged cedar or redwood.
>
> My question is..... what color does cypress age to when outside in
> the
> elements?
>

Can't help with the varnish/oil/sealer, as I am in the middle of that
controversy myself, but without protection, the cypress WILL turn silver.
Boaters have tried to convince themselves that the silver that teak
turns with age is desirable. Perhaps all that is needed is this change
in viewpoint. I haven't been able to make the shift myself!

[Wesley Smith (504)342-0908]

I live in Louisiana and, as you can imagine, we use a lot of cypress
down here. Most people really like the aged look. I have to admit that I
prefer the look of newly milled cypress myself. That golden caramel color with
light chocolate streaks -- yum yum.

I believe that most outdoor finishes with good UV protection will keep
the wood looking good for a long time. On the other hand, if you finish the
wood and try to stop the natural coloration, you will find yourself with a
finish that needs constant attention since it will be left in the weather 24
hours a day.

You might want to opt for learning to love the aged look like the rest
of us Ol' Suthners and tell people that it harkens back to an earlier time when
life was simpler and folks only had to work for the food they ate while
fighting off indians or yankees (whichever you prefer). ;-)

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Wesley Smith
State of Louisiana Voice: (504) 342-9584
Applications Manager FAX: (504) 342-9902
P.O. Box 44335 Email: wsm...@doa.state.la.us
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

[pusa...@speedy.mcnc.org]

In article <2sdr7e$q...@search01.news.aol.com>, dave...@aol.com (DaveSolly) writes:

|> My question is..... what color does cypress age to when outside in
|> the
|> elements?
|>
||>

|> Dave.
|>

I have made a total of 10 Adirondack chairs out of cypress, 4 for me and 6
for other people.
I used Olympic Water Seal with UV protection on my 4 and 1 year later the
4 chairs still have the golden look to it. They are outside all year long
and they are exposed to the elements.
I like both looks so I apply the water seal more for protection.