Question on material

[keninar]

Don't make many projects that end up outdoors - but need to do one now.

Project is a 24 x 24 sign that will live outdoors, will be sealed (varnish, shellac, etc), not painted.

Interested in recommendations from the group regarding wood selection.

Any thoughts?

Appreciate the input.

keninar

[Digitalwoodshop]

Ike may chime in soon..... Old Growth Redwood.... Might sell you some....

[badbert]

And while we are at it... what is the best finish to use outside?

[easybuilt]

I use cedar or redwood and oil seal it with Cabot Australian Timber oil or penofin, if you want a finish on top us Zinsser Spar Varnish oil base. I have recently started using superdeck and it is doing an exceptional job. http://www.superdeck.com/product/265/32/log-home-oil-finish-7000/
Hope this helps

[Bigtyme]

Here in Michigan, it is a little tough to get redwood , but we do have lots of white cedar and it does work well outdoors. It carves pretty well too. There are a number of good outdoor finishes (as others have pointed out), but I like to use a good outdoor ployurethane. Minwax makes some and it seems to last quite a while even under the toughest conditions....