[Woodcarver] : Re: Outdoor carvings

[Ramsey]

If you plan on painting the carving, the most durable finish is latex 
paint.  The most durable sealer is latex stain blocking primer. 
Imagine that this is the same way you would paint your house.  Latex 
paints outperform oil base paints because they are more flexible and 
less prone to cracking and peeling.  Varnish or linseed oil as a 
sealer will cause the latex paint to not adhere properly.  Don't use 
them for a base coat.  Top coating the carving with varnish or 
urethane is not a good idea.  Any clear finish will deteriorate 
quickly with exposure to the sun causing chalking and peeling.  I 
have finished outdoor carvings with every possible finish I could 
think of and have done long term tests of finishes.  The most durable 
house paint is Fuller O'Brien Weather King II.  Liquitex artist 
acrylics, although not sold as exterior paints, are very durable for 
outdoor use.  I have outdoor carvings, painted thirty years ago with 
Liquitex that still look decent.  Who's to know if they've changed 
their formula over the past thirty years though.

Bondo is fine for large gaps but does tend to crack if the wood 
contracts.  Smaller cracks can be filled with wood filler.  Wedges of 
the same wood driven into the cracks with glue is better but takes a 
bit of knowledge and proper tools to do it correctly.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


Hey gang,
Need some advice --- I have carved an eagle (full size) out of a dead 
spruce tree which will be kept outside. It will be painted when 
complete.  What should I use, if anything, as a sealer under the 
paint?
I have some ideas, like diluted varnish, or boiled linseed oil. Any 
other ideas out there? Also, should I "bondo" the existing cracks? 
Thanks for any ideas you may reply.

Cheers,
Merryl Bustin
Nova Scotia
www.highlandwoodcarver.ca
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