Wooden outdoor furniture depends on protective finish to stand strong and prevent damage against UV rays and moisture. By applying the best and standard finishes, this can be done easily along with enhanced life of the wooden stuff. Moreover, it enhances the look & feel as well. Some of the popular wood finishes are:
- Stains
- Paint
- Varnish or epoxy sealers
- Oil
If we talk about finishes for metal, they include:
- Powder coating
- Oil
- Natural patina
- Polyurethane
- Chrome plating
Choosing the right and long lasting exterior wood finish is very important. This is because, durability of finishes get affected when moisture content varies due to changing seasons. Direction of grain, i.e. flat-grained or edge-grained, also has its impact as how well the finish will last. In case of edge-grained surfaces, paint and varnish are the best for the smooth feel. On the other hand, penetrating stains are ideal for flat-grained surface. To preserve the grain and natural color of the wood, exterior varnish or epoxy sealer (with a topcoat of exterior varnish) and oil play the best role.
Applying Wood Finishes
The most durable natural finish comprises of three coats of epoxy with an exterior varnish topcoat. As epoxy serves to be a barrier to moisture, it prevents shrinking and swelling of the wood. Talking about the varnish, it creates a gleaming bright-work-style finish. As far as oil finish is concerned, it is the easiest to apply; however, lasts for about a year only. Oil stains come in variety of colors and offer protection against UV rays, mildew and mold.
To impart a natural finish, polyurethanes or exterior varnishes offer better protection and last for longer time. However, their application takes time and should be done very carefully. After ge tting that chalky-looking film, comes the turn for sand and application of fresh topcoat of varnish. Doing so will protect the wood for several years.
Take out some quality time and give your furniture attractive look for years.
Originally Published on: https://hempshieldblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/best-wood-finishes-to-keep-wooden-furniture-protected-for-years/