Woodworking questions......sealing outdoor furniture..

thespeakerbox

Platinum Member
Nov 19, 2004
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I've built a table id like to stain. It's going to be outside on a deck and I dont know what to use on the table so that it will be able to last for a long time. Does a sealer go above a stain as a final thing or what?
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Your best bet is to investigate Marine finishes. They have a lot more solids in their spar varnishes which will give you what you want.

BTW-a stain is just coloration, but by going with something with a deep color you will inherently keep out UV radiation.
 

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
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Anything you put on along the lines of polyurethane, varnish etc. probably won't hold up more then 2 or 3 years tops if it is completely exposed to the elements. I'd go with something like redwood or pressure treated lumber and hit it with deck sealer. I just built some picnic tables this summer and used some of that plastic decking lumber for the table top and seats, and pressure treat for the structure under it. I figure that should last awhile.
 

bctbct

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2005
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I just used a sherwin williams deck stain that has a sealer in it. Latex based, worked real well and water beads up on it. Latex based actually seals better than oil based.
 

mchammer

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2000
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Usually staining is not a separate step on outdoor furniture. You would use a penetrating sealer, which can be tinted to the color of your choice. There are also different transparancies of penetrating sealers available, the darker they are, the longer they will last.

Armitage is right about polyurethane and varnish being unsuitable. Those products are for indoors. They are "film build" products like paint is, but since they are clear they are destroyed by the sun. Paint could be used if you want, but then chipping and wear is a concern, and many people like the look of wood grain on their deck or furniture.
 

Vasp

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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I'd go with Cabots ATO
ATO: Australian Timber Oil

The other option is TWP.

Lowes has just started carrying cabots ATO - only 2 colors though-natural & mahogany flame.

mahogany flame rocks.


www.cabotstain.com