[Woodcarver] question about outdoor varnish

[Joe Dillett]

Hi Joe!
   Good to hear from you!  Hope things are going well!  We miss you in Evart at the Roundup!  
   Thanks for your information also.  I knew there was something but couldn't remember.  I used Helmsman Indoor/outdoor Spar with 3 coats on it .  Gave it to my sister in June and by the end of August it was all grey and nasty!  I don't mind color change but the grey really bummed me out.  I did get a quart of Sekkins Setol l that Woodbutcher Jan recommended but since I am not going to get this done by Saturday anyway (it's a wedding present and I didn't get started soon enough or I sat and thought too much ) maybe I'll wait and order the other.  There are so many choices and conditions it's hard to  choose.  The design has some smooth parts and details (sun with gerber daisys) so it wouldn't be hard to redo it each year if she chooses to.  
   Again Thanks for your help and also every one else!
Merrilee
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Hi Merrilee,

Sorry I had to miss Evart. I did miss seeing you and the rest of the bunch. I don't do much driving because of my eyes. Sharon's been doing the driving so we had to cut back on a lot of the longer driving trips. I'm still doing some carving but mostly pottery and drawing which I display at some shows close to home.

About the outdoor wood finish, many woods change color quickly regardless of what type of finish. You can test the type of wood you're using by applying a finish to half of a sample and lay it in the sun for a few months. Compare the finished portion with the unfinished portion as well as making cuts into the wood to compare it to the original color. 

In all outdoor varnish the UV inhibitor will saturate and break down over time. That's when they need to be stripped and refinished. Higher quality varnish will last maybe 10 years, depending on exposure.

Good quality outdoor oils also have UV inhibitors along with bug and fungus resistant chemicals added to them (sometimes it smells a little like skunk oil). They tend to darken the wood which helps hid the gray look. Oils need to be applied about once a year. They do not completely dry nor completely seal the wood so they have a tendency to pick up dirt turning the color even darker. Washing with solvent (paint thinner) removes a lot of the dirt before applying more oil.

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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