Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I know this probably been discussed a zillion times, but I miss the attention, plus it's been awhile since Doug has givin' me a razzin. I'm still a few weeks away, but I'm trying to plan ahead. I have pine beadboard panels on my exterior and would like to darken it a shade or two, what would hold up to spar varnish better, water based, or oil? I thought I saw somewhere water was better, but I have never really used it. I will cover Mollie's ears while you all dig into me

Not Minwax!

Satch....sorry I haven't been razzing you. I'll try to do better. I like working with dyes. They are available water or alcohol based and the advantage is that you are mixing them yourself so you can doctor up the recipe to be as weak or as strong as you want. You can also go back and touch up areas and not have it appear blotchy. Water based holds up better to any UV exposure. Another + is that if your first coat is too light, you can just apply others to slowly build the color you want, without muddying up the color on the wood grain. I'd experiment, pine can suck up color really quick and it's almost impossible to get it out of it especially with a dark tint.

Also be aware that 100 grit and lower sand scratches from an sander are going to show up as scratchy swirls when stained/dyed. Just what I've experienced, others may have had different results. You might call to the Woodcraft store over on Folsom Blvd to see if they have any in stock, or try www.woodworker.com look for aniline dyes. They will work under anything, if you follow the directions.

Miriam...wasn't the discussion about oil based stains under epoxy not under varnish? Can't remember now....Doug

Your local Orchard Supply Hardware has those dyes in small packets in a multitude of colors. Might give them a try. Jim

I used 3 heavy coats of Spar varnish (Ace hardware brand) over the exterior luan of my 5x10 and it darkened quite a bit you may want to try 3-4 coats on a scrap left over . You may decide you like the darker honey color it provides without the stain or dye.

Thanks for the replys, I tried a small scrap piece with minwax water base, then spar, it looks good, but it was only a small sample and not out in the elements.
Doug, I will stop by Woodcraft later and see what they have, I only live afew miles from them. I'm really gettin' into this build. I will try to post pics, when I figure out how, plus I can't get a good shot of it in the garage(to much crap crammed in)
Jim, I will also try Orchard, they are not as plentiful here as HD, or Lowes

Satch the reason I say not Minwax is because I bought Baltic Birch and the Spar Varnish is peeling off in some places. Has been since the first coat. I sanded it and started over but this year I have to do it over again. It just isn't right. The only thing I did was stain then varnish, and the truth is the Spar would have given me the color I wanted.

Now I am looking for something that sticks to underlying stuff.

doug wrote:Miriam...wasn't the discussion about oil based stains under epoxy not under varnish? Can't remember now....Doug

I do believe you are right. Seems the last discussion was what stain to use with epoxy and the stain chart came out again. Here it is for those who missed it.
http://www.westsystem.com/ewmag/21/epoxy_adhesion.html

I've never had a problem with Minwax stain under varnish or epoxy. Minwax makes their own spar varnish which I used which may explain the different results. A good spar varnish on unstained light wood does give a nice mellow honey finish that will darken over time which I like. The water based varnishes will not darken the wood or give the mellow tone. However, on interior you can't beat the quik dry time and ease of use. You can apply several coats in an evening. Again I used the minwax water based varnish/poly in the blue can. It looks milky and goes on cloudy but dries in a few minuets perfectly clear.

Mine has sat out in the weather all winter. I had it covered and the tarp was a PITA to keep on and was beating the hell out of the lexan top in the wind so I took it off in December. The spar varnish finish beads water like a freshly waxed car hood and show no sign of any problems. I applied directly over the luan veneer skin without any other treatment under or over it. I am very happy with the way it has held up in the sun rain and snow in the last 6 months.