Finish for Outdoor Table
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27 March 2015 at 10:38 pm #125998
I am building a table for our balcony from pine some oak elements. It is going to be out there all year except for winter – which means it is going to get wet during rain regularly.
What would be a suitable finish? Is there any non-poly possibility?
Thanks,
Andrej29 March 2015 at 11:35 pm #126081Andrej, I’ve used some kind of oil finish (tung oil or danish oil or boiled linseed oil) for outdoor furniture. If you sue oil, make sure the oil cures for a few days before putting it outside where moisture could interfere with the finish curing. Maybe others have different opinion on outdoor finishes.
31 March 2015 at 1:44 pm #126127Hey Matt, thanks. How is your oil finish holding up with bad weather? No problems with rain?
I have an outdoor table project coming up as well. From what I have read, you have two issues with outdoor finishes. 1. protection 2. color. Some woods like teak and redwood are very rot resistant and will do great outdoors with little protection. the oil finishes will work fine. Pine on the other hand will need something more robust. An exterior spar varnish. Now the color issue. UV rays will change the color of wood over time. Teak turns a silver color for example. Some don’t like that, so a good exterior varnish would be the choice. One that has UV protection. I’ve been advised to use products sold to boat owners vs. the home owners. That’s the route I plan to take.
8 May 2015 at 8:15 pm #127043@wotaewer – Sorry Andrej, I never saw your question until now. I should have mentioned that my bench was made from recycled redwood, which as Roy points out is very good against rot. Also, I added plastic feet pads to keep it off the wet ground. But it does change color to a weathered gray. The bench has held up OK, but our weather here in northern California is not very challenging for outdoor furniture. The sun does take its toll, though. I built the bench in 2012 and I’ve been wanting to sand it all down and re-oil it. Another item on the wish-I-had-more-time list. I’ll attach a before and after picture so you get an idea.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.11 May 2015 at 10:20 am #127082@roy: Thanks for your answer. I have watched some episoded by Louis Sauzedde on his youtube channel “Tips from a shipwright” and his feedback on having to redo varnish by sanding everything down again did not appeal too much to me.
And because I think I wont mind the color change as much I will try using linseed oil. And just apply several coats over a couple of weeks.
@Matt: thanks a lot for your pictures this really illustrates the whole process quite well. And good luck with your wish-I-had-more-time-list 😀12 May 2015 at 10:33 pm #127119When I make stuff that will live permanently outdoors, I tend to paint it. There are products out there from various manufacturers that sort of “erode” in the weather and need minimal rubbing down when it comes to refreshing the coating. I have used the Sadolin version but not long enough ago yet to judge whether it lives up to its claims.
Whatever finish you choose you must accept that it, and the surface of the wood, is going to deteriorate quite fast on an open balcony. Varnish comes with a relatively high cost in time and money for its more durable coating, as you have said, and when it starts to go it looks really crap. It is also more sensitive to correct application. Oil will need more frequent maintenance and offer poor protection in a wet climate, however the cost is minimal and it’s harder to do it wrong. Honestly though, I’ve never used it to protect softwood from the elements.
My advice is to use whatever finish you fancy, and get a tarp or cover to protect the table when it’s not in use.
Matt
p.s. @mattmcgrane, I really like your bench, and it carries its age gracefully.
Teak oil is used for out furniture. However, I would only use Teak oil on a rot resistant lumber (like ipe, teak, cypress, cedar, redwood or white oak etc) and for pine I would use an outdoor grade paint or lacquer for extra protection.
https://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/watco/teak-oil-finish
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