Exterior Wood Finishes Test

Check out our line of exterior wood finishes and stains.

Exterior wood finishes test.

Two years later our search continues for the ideal wood finish relatively easy to apply easy to maintain lasts. Testers applied dozens of exterior wood finishes 22 one part varnishes six two part varnishes 18 synthetics and satins varnish alternatives and eight teak oils and sealers to small panels of bare solid teak and set them out to face the rigors of south florida s weather. In almost all cases the finish on the exposed side of the sample boards was beyond repair and often so was the wood. 1 1 this guide covers the selection and use of procedures for testing exterior wood stains and clear water repellents.

If project requires more than 1 container blend all containers. Dyes impart some color to the finish but do little to block uv rays. Shake and stir thoroughly before and during use. To ensure desired appearance and proper drying time always finish a small test area before proceeding.

Natural and synthetic bristle brushes specifically designed for use with minwax wood finishing products. Topcoats that offer long lasting protection for wood that is exposed to sunlight water and temperature changes. Maintenance is a necessity for outdoor wood finishes. Once damaged wood fibers separate from the underlying wood taking the finish with them.

The properties that can be examined or in some cases the relevant test procedures are listed in 2 1 and 2 2. An exterior oil finish is definitely the simplest quickest way to treat an outdoor project. Oil finishes don t provide a protective film that sits on top of the wood like varnish does. Do not over apply.

Nothing blocks uv rays better than pigments. On the downside it will only give you about a year of protection from the ravages of outdoor life. There are a variety of exterior wood finishes with different characteristics and properties. Good exterior finishes protect the wood from these harsh conditions but will certainly fail unless they are renewed on a scheduled basis.

Film finishes especially better quality ones that flex after curing best protect wood from moisture. In the june 2009 issue of fine woodworking magazine 205 tom begnal wrote an article called torture test for outdoor finishes where he described how he prepared sample boards from five different types of wood mahogany pine white oak ipe and cedar. This includes both water borne and solvent borne semitransparent and opaque stains and clear water repellents.