Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I've stained the outside of my Schooner with Minwax Golden Pecan stain and have been looking at what type of sealer to finish it off with. I keep reading that most of the sealers "reduce" damage from UV radiation. Is there any one of the Minwax products that are better than the other for outside protection? I know nothing is going to be completely bulletproof but I don't want to strip and reapply every other year.

Doug Hodder, your boats are badass!! I don't have the time or patience to sand between 15 coats of clear, though. Yikes!!!

...WP, I have been using Minwax's Clear Shield for a number of years on outdoor furniture with very good results. At present we have a set of Adirondak furniture that has been sitting out on the deck for about 10 yrs with no more than minimal protection and it and its finish LOOK GREAT. I have also used it to seal the bottom of my tear...if you are going to spray it...thin it with laquer thinner and apply at least 3 coats, sanding in between each coat. Remember if using any oild base finish it will impart a slight amber tint to the finish product...over golden pecan it should look mahvalous and as always YMMV
madjack

I second the Minwax's Clear Shield. It has everything that you need for a good top coat especially over the other Minwax product that you've already used. Not a Minwax salesman but i really have faith in their products if used right.

WarPony, the most durable outdoor finish..........other than resin or epoxy, would be a high UV inhibitor marine grade polyurethane. You won't find it at Home Depot or anywhere inland..................you'd have to be on the coastline somewhere to get it. And it's expensive! A good yacht material supplier would have a high UV marine grade. That's your best bet................but then you'll just have to keep maintaining it as years go by.

I'm using Helsman Spar Urethane from Minwax for all of my wood finish. It is advertised to be UV stable and suitable for exterior applications.



http://www.minwax.com/products/protective/helmsman.cfm

I found the Minwax website to be quite helpful, there is a searchable discussion forum there where you can find answers to just about any wood finishing question. I followed the product instructions and am very pleased with the results.

Michael W wrote:I'm using Helsman Spar Urethane from Minwax for all of my wood finish. It is advertised to be UV stable and suitable for exterior applications.

Cool, I saw a 2 gallons of this stuff among the OOPs paint at Home Depot. I was wondering why it was with the OOPs paint, It was marked down because it had a dent in the can. If that's the only thing wrong with it, I'll go ahead and buy it.

asianflava wrote:

Michael W wrote:I'm using Helsman Spar Urethane from Minwax for all of my wood finish. It is advertised to be UV stable and suitable for exterior applications.

Cool, I saw a 2 gallons of this stuff among the OOPs paint at Home Depot. I was wondering why it was with the OOPs paint, It was marked down because it had a dent in the can. If that's the only thing wrong with it, I'll go ahead and buy it.

Rocky,

That's what I used on the wood in my tear, so you've seen how the semi-gloss looks on birch.

SteveH wrote:Rocky,

That's what I used on the wood in my tear, so you've seen how the semi-gloss looks on birch.

Hope it will look as good when I get a hold of it. Did you put stain or anything underneath?

Nope, no stain or anything. I wanted a light colored finish because I felt a dark interior would make it look/feel even smaller that it is.

I've been using Minwax Helmsman for years, on kayaks and three Teardrop projects. I don't use stains either. The light amber coloring is just enough.
This is the rear bulkhead in my 'Diner. Maple boards, birch ply...semi-gloss.

I think the Helmsman Spar Urethane is the way to go for me. I liked the Clear Shield the best............... until I priced it. Schnikes, that stuff is high!!

WarPony wrote:I think the Helmsman Spar Urethane is the way to go for me. I liked the Clear Shield the best............... until I priced it. Schnikes, that stuff is high!!

The stuff I found was $17 a gallon. I just hope that dent doesn't affect it.

...asian, don't buy any paint/finish in a dented can, the dent will damage the paint at the point of impact and the longer it sits, the more the damage will spread, untill all the paint is "dented". Thereafter, when applying paint/stain, the dent will spread with it and will give the finished piece, a dented appearance. Remember in all instances...YMMV
madjack

God, Madjack, you're a HOOT! Take it easy, there are novices on this site who might believe you.

Madjack, If the can has rust on it does that mean that the paint will give a rusted appearence? And if it is dirty will it give a dirty appearence?

My wife will never let me buy the dented cans from a supermarket, do you think she knows something I don't?