Deanna Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 I am restoring a 100 year old church pew. I stripped it, sanded it, and applied minwax pre-stain and minwax oil based provincial stain and over the last three days, 2 coats of spar urethane. All this BEFORE I realized the minwax products are for interior use only!!!!!!!! This morning I applied the 2nd coat of spar urethane when I noticed about 15 blisters on the end of the bench that was in the direct sun. Can someone on this forum give me some advice? Should I just stop right now and get out my heat gun to remove what I've already applied, start all over with a stain suitable for outside? I'm very upset to have put all this work in and only made MORE work for myself. I wish I had been more careful. No need dwelling on the goof though. Just trying to regroup and do it right. Mostly I want to protect the antique wood. The bench is pine which I know is not optimal for outside but I'll have it on a patio and will put about 5 coats of spar on it. Thanks for any help anyone can give me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 if it is going to mostly be protected i think i would just try to repair the spots that got damaged with outdoor grade material and then continue with spar varnish/urethane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 What "varnish" specifically are you using? Varnish tends to be a loose term that is used for many different types of finishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanna Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Thanks. It's Helmsman Spar Urethane. Oil based. Satin finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 i have use that with good success, but in terms of varnish i also like epifanes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Most oil based varnishes that are 'satin finish' do not have any UV blockers / filters (which is why they're intended for interior use only). All exterior grade varnish will be a high gloss. Exterior varnish works in a couple ways; uv blockers and inhibitors that are part of the mix, but also it's ability to reflect / deflect the suns rays so the blockers / absorbers don't have to do all the work . High gloss surfaces do this the best. I'm afraid the issue you're running into isn't with the stain, but solely the finish. If you want to have a semi / satin appearance what you'll need to do is remove the existing finish and do all the new build up with a high gloss varnish 4-5 coats minimum). On the last coat or two (coats 5-6) then use a semi / satin finish for the dulled appearance. You'll get the best of both worlds.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marahog@msn.com Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 I ran into the same problem with my outdoor front wood steps using mini wax noticing too late it was interior stain. Can I use a varnish to protect and make it work and if so what would be the best to use, high gloss? I would hate to have to pressure wash it all or sand it. Got exterior paint but forgot to check the stain for exterior use. Not happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 3, 2019 Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 Just FYI, this is a 5 year old thread, so most of the original participants are unlikely to reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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