[Woodcarver] question about outdoor varnish

[Joe Dillett]

Hi Marrilee,

 

The finish you are thinking about is the Outdoor Oil from General Finishes ( http://www.generalfinishes.com ). Another finish I use is Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane made by Minwax (found in most hardware stores).

 

I choose which to use based on the texture of the outdoor carving. Any varnish type of product eventually needs to be stripped. A heavy textured carving is almost impossible to strip. So for heavy textured carving I use the Outdoor Oil, because it never needs stripping. To renew the oil surface, just wash with a solvent (paint thinner) and apply more oil. But you need to do that almost every year. There is more maintenance with an oil but over-all less work. Stripping a carving of old varnish can get very tedious. The only exception is redwood which I always use oil because it needs to breath. I have a redwood picnic table that I built in 1970 from redwood lumber taken out of a barn that was over 100 years old. The picnic table still looks good, weathered but good.

 

There is no wood finish out there that is permanent. Almost all wood with a clear finish with lighten or darken, depending on the type of wood. That is part of the beauty of wood. Knowing that it will change color should be considered in the design and the customer should know how to maintain it.

 

Happy carving.


Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552

(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]
http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask Joe' column]
http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Merrilee Johnson 
  To: woodcarver at carverscompanion.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 1:46 PM
  Subject: [Woodcarver] question about outdoor varnish


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  Good Day all!
     I have a question that has been asked before but I am not at home where all my information is.  I am making an out door welcome sign.  I remember Joe Dillett saying what kind he uses but can't remember the name.  Also lots of talk about marine varnish vs others.  So my question is what is the best finish to use on an outdoor sign that won't have much additional care given after I put on whatever.... I did use Helmsman Spar Varnish on a garden stake last year - stuck it in the ground end of June and by September it was greyed.  I was so disappointed.  So please share your wealth of knowlege with me.  Thank you!
  Merrilee


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