JeepDad Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 This spring I am transforming our patio and grill area. I am building a grilling and food station with coolers, cabinets, etc..... I also want to build a farm house table with a slab top. The slabs I will be using have been kiln dried and stored (by my wood guy) for a year or so. I live in the Mid-Atlantic region that can have humid summers and cold/wet winters. Which finish have you all used/tried that worked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Many questions. What kind of wood? Will the table be under shelter, out of the sun & rain? What kind of look are you after; more natural looking mat finish or shiny & plasticy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepDad Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Yhea I guess I left out too much information....... One of those days where the brain is already had enough... I am thinking of using either White Oak, Cyprus, or Blk Locust (if I can find). It will be in the elements - during spring, summer, and fall - but covered in Winter. And since I hope to use slabs with natural edges, I want to go with a more natural look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 This thread was for a specific wood, but might get you started: https://www.woodtalkonline.com/topic/27782-spar-varnish-on-port-orford-cedar/?do=findComment&comment=356381 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepDad Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Great information. Thanks. Fine wood working article should help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 4 minutes ago, JeepDad said: Great information. Thanks. Fine wood working article should help out. I used the Clear Penetrating EPoxy Sealer followed by a generic spar varnish (CPES for keeping stuff off the wood, spar varnish for that and UV protection.) My application was a Western Red Cedar table that sits on a covered deck, getting only blown in rain and snow and partial direct sun. It's been less than a year, but so far it still looks new. I expect to have to repeat the spar varnish periodically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepDad Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I read the FW article where they used the same formula - CPES and Epifanes spar. Stuffs not cheap but if I want to keep it looking good then I need to apply every couple of years or sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I'd go white oak, the best of the best for outdoors. Strong as pig iron. Use a deck stain. General Finishes has a great line of water-based outdoor finishes. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepDad Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I was leaning towards WO. My wood guy has it and I would rather buy from him (local woodworkers with mill and kiln) then spend a fortune at a store....... But I do like the look of Blk Locust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 Old saying is that log cabins used black locust as the sill plate because it lasted, on average, 2 years longer than stone. Possibly no finish needed at all. Cremona did that ginormous slab patio table from white oak, used CPES and Epiphanes, the pictures I saw after two years were indistinguishable from fresh finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimayo Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 Have you considered using a good quality exterior paint without any tint added? Here is an old article that explains it. I have used it on a piece of exterior furniture that is in a protected area. So, I can verify that it does dry clear, but I can't verify weather resistance and durability. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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