WWA Info Exchange

Neighbor bought a pine outdoor table...slats on top...not solid. Well, one week later, some of the slats are warping...she wants me to replace/ repair with new pine. What is the best way to finish a pine outdoor table? I have always been an advocate of oils, as they don't leave a finish that water can get under. So, if I repair/ replace the slats...how would you all finish the table for outdoor use?

Good question! I will watch learn from the experts.

I will be a Debbie Downer here. I avoid outdoor wood items like the plague. I use wood for indoor stuff. For outdoor I look for oter materials actually.

I have had some success with Marine Spar Varnish on some Mahogany on a boat I had, but even then it would need to be redone evry other year. Hoping someone here has some better options for outdoor wood stuff.

_________________
"To all those who work come moments of beauty unseen by the rest of the world." Norman Maclean

I use GF 450 outdoor poly. Never had a issue even in the AZ sun

How many years do you get out of it Ron?

_________________
"To all those who work come moments of beauty unseen by the rest of the world." Norman Maclean

Pine is one of the worst, if not the worst, for outdoor use. No finish is going to fix it. Cedar or Cypress are good softwoods for outside, and some domestic and exotic hardwoods would be ok also. White oak would be a good domestic choice.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Hey Alan,

I agree with Gene that pine is generally a poor choice for outdoor projects, with one exception, ...painted. In general, I avoid all bright finishes outdoors. If you can see the wood, then so can the sun, and eventually the sun will win. Take a look at the underside of any varnish flake that comes off, and you will see a layer of wood cells that failed.

I make outdoor furniture for sale and I use hem/fir construction lumber. I paint it with two primer coats and three top coats of an exterior grade acrylic. The seat slats that I make are unfinished western red cedar which will quickly turn a light grey color.

Good luck,
Tom

_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

I am another that does not use pine for out door furniture. I use Oak, walnut, or cedar for outdoor furniture. I have a camp table that I made out of oak over thirty years ago and the top is still solid. Over the years I have sanded and recoated the top several times. I use
BLO and wax.While not considered as durable as many newer finishes it is period correct for my living history and easily redone as needed.

I got about 6 mos in Calif and a year here and its still good last summer 50 straight days over 110, this summer weve been up to 106 so far. I should mention I didnt stain it I used a clear top coat.

I got about 6 mos in Calif and a year here and its still good last summer 50 straight days over 110, this summer weve been up to 106 so far

https://generalfinishes.com/wood-finish ... ed-topcoat