ColoChris

Hello and thank you so much for your time.

So I have been working with cedar and redwood lumber and after an initial test run of some routered signs which were painted, I put 1 coat of a helmsman or something like that spar urathane ( spelling wrong I know, sorry the can is outside) Anyways, after an hour or so it was not like how it looked when I first put it on. At first it was glossy and looked nice, yet after a while it like soaked into the wood and is now sticky to the touch.

What do I need to do differently? I sanded the sign with a 120 grit paper and then applied the first coat. Now maybe I am using the wrong stuff and I need to use just a poly on it. I do like the natural color, so a clear coat that is slick to the touch would be great. But do I need a bunch of coats to get it that way, or maybe I am using the wrong stuff?

I do not have access to many things except for what is at the box stores.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

ColoChris

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challagan

Are you looking for a glossy surface for your sign? What you used (spar varnish) is an excellent varnish for exterior use. Usually the first coat for any finish will look wet when applied and get's soaked up into the wood. It's basicially a seal coat. Let it dry throughly, usually over night. Having not used spar varnish before I am not sure of it's properties but it is still a varnish so I am sure you will have to sand lightly with a higher grit...320 or 400 ( not steel wool) and then reapply for a more gloss finish. Should be able to build up a finish this say. Be sure to let each coat dry well over night and then reapply and let the finial coats cure.

Corey

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bobj3

Hi ColoChris

Try this..
Pickup some Shellac at the HD and use it to seal the wood then let it dry and then put your clear coat(s) on it..


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challagan

Norm uses this for a lot of his projects Bob, won't the first coat he has applied pretty much act as a sealer if allowed to dry?

corey

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My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
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bobj3

Hi Corey

cedar and redwood are funny stuff, it just keeps on drinking it in...but I'm sure in time it will seal it.. they do make some great wood sealers but they are not cheap...like Shellac



==========

__________________
PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

Bob J.

ColoChris

ok so after the Shellac, do I need to stay with any certain clear coats? Like can I use poly on it? Or use that helmsman spar urathane stuff? (can still outside= spelling bad)

So I take it that the shellac will seal the board, then a clear coat will just dress it up for the final product?

I know I have a lot to learn about all of this.

bobj3

Hi Chris

If you are lucky jerrymayfield ( a forum member) will see this and give you and hand..

If not take a look at the link below

http://www.routerforums.com/finishin...ing-cedar.html

========

__________________
PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

Bob J.

jerrymayfield

I agree to use shellac first it is an excellent barrier against water vapor. Any clear finish that is used outside will need to be renewed every year or two. The worst finish for outdoor use is varnish made with urethane(polyurethane) resin it starts to yellow quickly and loses adhesion almost as quickly.Spar varnish is a long oil varnish that originally was used on the spars of sailing ships and isn't bad for that purpose since it was renewed atleast yearly. In my opinion Helmsman spar urethane is one of the worst finishes ever hyped to the public. There are a few finishes the will last a little longer outside,but none of them are inexpensive. Its hard to beat paint for outdoor use.

Regards

Jerry

ColoChris

Thank you so much. Would you have any suggestions of a good clear coat that will look nice for a final product that I might be able to get at a box store?

I live in Colorado, but in the country. I can get to some other places like Denver, but I have no idea of what to put on.

So would I put just one coat of the shellac on, let dry and then put on the clear coat? or do you think multiple coats is better of the Shellac?


Thank you so much for your time and trouble.

ColoChris

jerrymayfield

As a universal sealer use one application of a two pound cut of shellac(blond or super blond adds very little color and is color fast) if you want to add some color use one of the less refined grades such as garnet,orange or seedlac. I have tried clear paint base-outdoor- (for the darkest color ) and it lasted three years before it had to be redone. Right now I'm testing a product that uses ultra violet to cure this is the fourth year and so far so good. I have no interest in this company in any way and their product is very-very expensive,although they claim to guarantee it for seven years.
Paint is still the most reasonable alternative.

REGARDS

Jerry