ulloa_josh Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Wondering if anyone has real life experience using walnut for outdoor use. I realize there's tons of variables so here's the details of my situation. I'm in central california, our winters are wet, no snow but some freezing temps. and summer's hot (100+). I may be building several benches that will be outdoors and for public use. I'd like to use walnut slabs for the benches because the wood has special meaning to the location. I would finish the benches using one of the epifanes products and probably plan on doing some sort of annual maintenance. So any thoughts? Sound reasonable or should I stick with something like teak, white oak, or ? Thanks, Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derwood Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Not so sure on walnut outdoors but then again a lot of wood treated the right way can be used outdoors. Ace Spar, mixed with real 100% pure cold pressed tung oil and some thinning agent all in a batch together. Put on, sand down with steel wool. Do this multiple times (7 at the minimum imo ) and the final coat is a mirror like finish that details the wood while more importantly, protecting it from that beautiful California sun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grain Guy Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 You can make it work. Yearly maintenance will be key. Put some type of risers or levelers to get it up off the ground. They should be made out of stainless or galvanized coated, same for the fasteners. Make sure the seat has some slope to shed water. Defiantly use a finish with some pigment for uv protection. You may want to consider a penetrating finish rather than a top coat. I just finished some outdoor signage and used a behr semi transparent product from home depot I was very happy with. Very easy to apply and easy to get. The first coat I applied looked ok. The second coat Really looked good. The third even better. Everything else I've used for exterior has been very time consuming to apply. Good luck to ya Sounds like a cool project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Here I go again ... I am a firm believer in the products from Sikkens ... I heard quartersawn white oak and walnut could perform reasonably well outdoors ... there is only one way to find out. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grain Guy Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 That sikkens is awesome stuff. A beautiful finish. Just takes forever to dry and seems temperamental. I got so many mixed instructions for application from sikkens tech themselves and my supplier. It's still a product I'm playing with when I get the chance. I did get a great finish on a set of entry doors for house but the while process seemed like a science experiment. It's supposedly a badass topcoat. Got any good pointers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 I am not the best finisher. Use the best natural brush you can. I had a lot of luck on exterior doors where in the past owners had all their stain crack and peel ... never with Sikkens. So even if is not the best perfect museum finish out the gate, is the best over time. Staining with a brush ... ain't easy So if it is practice is what going to make you better, the only answer I have is for you to use it more ofen. I use it all the time. My favorite is the Cetol 1 (primer) one coat ... Cetol 23 (top coat) two coats. That sikkens is awesome stuff. A beautiful finish. Just takes forever to dry and seems temperamental. I got so many mixed instructions for application from sikkens tech themselves and my supplier. It's still a product I'm playing with when I get the chance. I did get a great finish on a set of entry doors for house but the while process seemed like a science experiment. It's supposedly a badass topcoat. Got any good pointers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derwood Posted May 18, 2012 Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 Cool guys. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulloa_josh Posted May 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 Thanks for all the info. I've also heard back from others who have done outdoor projects with walnut and they're still going strong. Now just need the green light from the customer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest harperbr Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 Did you do the outdoor benches? I am looking to do a bar counter of walnut in is under a pavilion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 You do realize that question and answers were from 8 years ago? Not one of those people have been on this site for a very long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 5, 2020 Report Share Posted February 5, 2020 While @RichardA is right, there are others here that might be able to help. Why don't you post some more detail about what you are looking for? Starting a new thread might net you better results. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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