Best Long Term Exterior Finish

[Dwayne]

Hey Folks, in all your experience, what's the best long term clear 'satin' finish for a large business sign ? This one is made from white pine with minwax oil-based stain and latex paints for color. Thank you all for your dedication to the ..CarveWright Forum

Dwayne

sorry for the large file size

[zan29]

I've thought about Thompson's water seal for decks.........has anyone tried?

[zan29]

And Dwayne, I've heard about marine varnish, I think from the forum, not sure!

[DocWheeler]

I'm no expert, but I've had some experience - it all depends.
I have an oak house number on the North corner of my house that gets little
weather and no direct sun, it only has a couple of coats of spar varnish
and looks great after seven years.

I have oak front doors that face South-East that gets no weather but gets
direct sun. The doors need attention every couple of years.

The ultra violet rays penetrate the spar varnish and affect the wood underneath.
Since I need to replace my back door this year, I have been checking out my options.
One website explained what to do, but wood still generally needs attention every couple of years.

The best advice should come from wooden boat owners - I'm not one.

[Dwayne]

Thanks Zan & Doc, you people must have been reading my mind cause the options you gave were the only two I was thinking bout...after some thought I think I'm gonna go with the marine spar varnish. Soon as it's hanging I'll get a snapshot of it and share it with you folks...Thanks again for all your help. :)

Dwayne

[DocWheeler]

Here is the website (http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/qa/finishing-exterior-wood-door.aspx) I spoke of earlier. http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/qa/finishing-exterior-wood-door.aspx

[Dale]

I'm no expert also, but did some research and found Sikkens Cetol Door & Window satin wood tone & clear finish highly recommended. I used it on a cedar sign that is exposed to full sun and three years later looks as good as when I first put it up.

[JoeinWestMich]

I don't do any signs for exterior use or other products right now for exterior use. But I like to read on the subject in case I do. Sometime last year this question was posed either here or on another board. One of the members linked to an interesting web page on clear "paint" not a clear coat varnish or poly. The reviewer gave a great review and did some research on the subject. I wish I had saved the article. You might do a search on clear paint or some variation thereof and see what comes up. I think he was research on how to maintain the color and paint integrity of outside doors. Good luck,

[SteveNelson46]

I've thought about Thompson's water seal for decks.........has anyone tried?

Yes I have. IMHO it isn't that good. It's intended to be a deck sealer but, has to be re-applied every 2 years or so. I've had really good luck with marine spar varnish though. It' really just a heavy urethane with UV light inhibitors and seems to work well.

[chypes]

Latex paints? Id be concerned using any type of alcohol based solvents on latex paint...could cause the paint to bubble up and turn to mush I would think....

[SteveNelson46]

Latex paints? Id be concerned using any type of alcohol based solvents on latex paint...could cause the paint to bubble up and turn to mush I would think....


I wouldn't use latex on top of oil based stain. You may get away with it for awhile but, eventually the latex will peal off.