outdoor tabletop finish

[Steve Viegas]

I am building a bar for outside my house, and I found a free oak tabletop that I will use for the bar top. My problem is that it isn't weatherized.

I cannot find the original thread, but I remember a post awhile back regarding a think clear coat that was used on wood. I am thinking something like you might find in a pizza parlor or something.

Can anyone provide me with a product name that provides a thick clear coat for wood that would provide weatherizing qualities as well?

Thanks,

Steve

[RWebb]

check the Deck thread - a guy just posted something interesting


also, marine varnish

[Zeke]

Interesting that this comes up today. I'm refinishing a redwood slab that is an irregular live edge piece 3" thick and overall about 8' long. This is the 2nd go round on this because the customer didn't do didley covering it up or cleaning it. Lasted 3 years (well, it didn't last 3 years or I wouldn't have had to strip it down to bare wood) but needed refinishing. I'm thinking it was probably OK to just re-coat it after 2 years, but once a year would be sure thing. And that's not covered.

I use Epifanes Clear Varnish and follow the instructions to a T.

[LWJ]

Waterlox.

I have it on my hardwood floors. Might do he trick. Check out their website.

[fintstone]

Get a sheet of glass cut the same size as the top and put it on it.

[Tobra]

What Fint said

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Get a sheet of glass cut the same size as the top and put it on it.

that will trap water - it's outside

[Icemaster]

There's not going to be much that won't require maintenance every few years. Marine spar varnishes work great, still need refreshing. Depends on how much sun and wet it gets.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by RWebb

that will trap water - it's outside

I assumed it was under some sort of cover. If not, the moisture and sun will destroy any clear finish pretty quickly...so it will need refinishing every few years in most climates.

[gtc]

I've heard from a boater friend that AwlGrip's AwlWood is very durable.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I assumed it was under some sort of cover. If not, the moisture and sun will destroy any clear finish pretty quickly...so it will need refinishing every few years in most climates.

"every few years" is way too optimistic.

[RWebb]

it might be under a roof - little rain; reduced UV

I can get 3 or 4 years out of my Redwood deck with TWP or Superdeck on it...

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Zeke

"every few years" is way too optimistic.

Agreed. Since it would be flat and get every not of sun and rain...no doubt. I had a wooden door that I refinished with polyurethane that got a lot of sun and rain in New Mexico...and it really needed sanding and refinishing every year. I did a table and some trim inside with the same stuff and it looked perfect after 20 years.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by gtc

I've heard from a boater friend that AwlGrip's AwlWood is very durable.

Yeah, I don't know why I keep going back to Epifanes (made in Holland) but it's the 2nd most expensive on the shelf at the marine hardware store. Reviews are excellent. Yet, no maintenance and you're gonna see deterioration. It's not just the sun and rain, there are lots of pollutants that settle on flat surfaces and not cleaned regularly they will accelerate the process.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Interesting that this comes up today. I'm refinishing a redwood slab that is an irregular live edge piece 3" thick and overall about 8' long. This is the 2nd go round on this because the customer didn't do didley covering it up or cleaning it. Lasted 3 years (well, it didn't last 3 years or I wouldn't have had to strip it down to bare wood) but needed refinishing. I'm thinking it was probably OK to just re-coat it after 2 years, but once a year would be sure thing. And that's not covered.

I use Epifanes Clear Varnish and follow the instructions to a T.

Epoxy sealer + 8-10 coats of that stuff above, after epoxy has fully cured. PITA to do, but will be super durable.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Yeah, I don't know why I keep going back to Epifanes (made in Holland) but it's the 2nd most expensive on the shelf at the marine hardware store.

Not cheap, but that stuff is like molasses, and you can thin it waaay down to get a lot more mileage.

[RWebb]

so AwlGrip's AwlWood is the most durable?

I need to protect a nice wood door that faces south and also get blown rain in the winter...

I think the manf. used Sikkens on it originally

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Not cheap, but that stuff is like molasses, and you can thin it waaay down to get a lot more mileage.

True. The instructions say 50% thinner first coat, 25% 2nd and just what you need for the conditions for the 3rd. 3 coats required, minimum. I suggest when going for a 4th and any subsequent coats that the 24 hour re-coat time be extended by a day or two.

On my project I stopped at the 2nd coat and am waiting until Monday for the final (for now) coat. It's very slow to dry to a tack free state so I'm bringing along a 10' x 10" Easy Up canopy as this project lives under some massive trees that overhang the redwood slab.

I'll have to post a pic.

[Steve Viegas]

I think I will try Zeke's idea. I hear that applying this stuff is challenging. I have time.

I live in San Jose, CA, so the weather is pretty mild. I think it will last a little while. I do not mind maintaining it.

Thanks for all of the informaiton.

[Eric Coffey]

Honestly, if you are going to go to the trouble, I'd do an epoxy sealer first. It isn't that much more work, and it will be well worth it in the long run, IMO.
Also, on the varnish, I'd say the minimum for this application is more like 8+ coats, not 3. YMMV...