My table is underway, stain/sealer recommendation?

mummer43

Just got an egg for Father's Day and I am currently using the nest and side mates, but I wanted something bigger since we use it all the time.  My father is a really good carpenter and is retired, so I tasked him with building me a table.  Here are some shots of it in progress.  He is using clear cedar which I would like to stain.  What do you guys recommend?  It will be residing outside so I would like to make it as weather prof as possible.

RRP

Most any name brand marine varnish will work. Just avoid with a passion Thompson's Water Seal crap! 

DoubleEgger

Spend the cash and buy Sikkens 

nolaegghead

For the ultimate weather resistance, take it apart and brush on West Marine or some other boat/aviation 2 part epoxy.  Keep it saturated, and if you have time, do multiple coats.  Sand between coats.  Let it cure, and reassemble.

When assembled, brush on a spar urethane (always after light sanding).  Do a couple coats.  The epoxy needs to be protected from UV.

This will last for years, although you will eventually need to lightly sand and apply more spar.   My table is over 5 years old, gets wet each rain and still looks great.  No refinishing yet.

One tier down from that, just use spar urethane (a good marine grade).  Follow the instructions.  Make sure you take it apart and do all sides.  Always important to focus on saturating any end grain.

What most people do is just paint spar on it assembled.   Sand between coats, always.

The bottom tier is to apply some water deck sealant.  You will have to apply at least once a year or it will degrade to the point you need a deep sanding to refinish.

nolaegghead

One other thing - you need room for expansion on the shelf.  Should have some expansion joints.   Treating all faces of each piece of lumber (incl end grain) reduces this destructive expansion/contraction greatly, but expect it will always expand.  I have seen many projects self destruct because this was not considered.

mummer43

I will look into the Sikkens.  I definitely will take it apart and do each board.

mummer43

Which Sikkens product?  Cetol 1?  Cetol Marine?

henapple

I'm a big fan of Thompson's Waterseal. 

nolaegghead

henapple said:

I'm a big fan of Thompson's Waterseal. 

@henapple - Thompson's is the Pabst Blue Ribbon of sealants.

SamIAm2

nolaegghead said:

henapple said:

I'm a big fan of Thompson's Waterseal. 

@henapple - Thompson's is the Pabst Blue Ribbon of sealants.

@nolaegghead - Reading Premium Beer in the 70's held that distinction for me. At least the name Waterseal was an accurate description of ingredients but never as a verb.

CanDid

nolaegghead said:

@ henapple - Thompson's is the Pabst Blue Ribbon of sealants.

Hey, let's keep it civil here! No need to attack PBR.

mummer43

Here is the finished product. 

nolaegghead

CanDid said:

nolaegghead said:

@ henapple - Thompson's is the Pabst Blue Ribbon of sealants.

Hey, let's keep it civil here! No need to attack PBR.

Could be I'm really attacking hipsters, by proxy.   Who knows?

NC_Egghead

Table looks great. Nice and sturdy. Good luck with the finishing process. 

Nice space for a shop. Is that 2 snow blowers I see in the background? None for me, thanks!

DoubleEgger

nolaegghead said:

henapple said:

I'm a big fan of Thompson's Waterseal. 

@henapple - Thompson's is the Pabst Blue Ribbon of sealants.

That's an insult to PBR

nolaegghead

DoubleEgger said:

nolaegghead said:

henapple said:

I'm a big fan of Thompson's Waterseal. 

@henapple - Thompson's is the Pabst Blue Ribbon of sealants.

That's an insult to PBR

xactly