Exterior finish for a woodie?

[Seth A]

What the concensus on exterior finishes? I was thinking Varnish would be the most durable. I plan to skin the top and leave the sides wood. I am also looking for something I can get for a resonable price at the big box stores. Thanks

[madjack]

...well you can't beat epoxy( www.RAKA.com ) and spar varnish or autoclearcoat...not the cheapest but the most durable...otherwise, something like MinWax ClearShield would be usable...not cheap either at near 30bucks a gallon....
madjack

[Jim T]

Roly uses some special varnish that he orders from a boat company. I have the name at home. I have never used it, but it looks good and I plan on using it. Just another alternative.
Jim

[Juneaudave]

For big box store stuff...Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane is supposed to be pretty decent. I don't have anything with long term exposure with that on it though. I've pretty much been a spar varnish type of guy.

[WarPony]

... I've pretty much been a spar varnish type of guy...

What brand do you use? I've used Helmsman Spar Urethane on both of my builds but noticed it cracks after being outside for long periods of time. I ran into a thread a few weeks ago and some people poo-pooed urethane for that reason. I wish I would've know the problems it had and picked something else but................ what's done, is done.

I was going to use epoxy and found it has some issues with the way you prepare the wood edges.........

Huhhhh, will it ever end?

Jeff

[Juneaudave]

... I've pretty much been a spar varnish type of guy...

What brand do you use? I've used Helmsman Spar Urethane on both of my builds but noticed it cracks after being outside for long periods of time. I ran into a thread a few weeks ago and some people poo-pooed urethane for that reason. I wish I would've know the problems it had and picked something else but................ what's done, is done.

I was going to use epoxy and found it has some issues with the way you prepare the wood edges.........

Huhhhh, will it ever end?

Jeff

After looking at the pics...I don't think John's problem was with the edges...I think it was contamination from the tack cloth. Anyway...I use Interlux Schooner on my boats..but McCloskey Man O'War, Z-Spar Captains, Epiphanes, and Dalys SeaFin Superspar are all good marine varnishes with excellent UV protection. These are some of the "bad boys" of marine varnishes and will stand up to some pretty harsh conditions. For a TD trailer...it may be overkill depending on a fellas pocketbook!!! In anycase...your looking at a minimum of three coats with sanding in between... I typically wet sand on the finish coats to get the "look" and keep dust down.

[madjack]

Jeff, my buddy Jim (Harley at the LCG's) built a set of Adirondak furniture about 20 yrs ago, he coated it with the MinWax ClearShield using a HVLP sprayer...it has sat outside on a deck all that time and looks as good today as the day he set it out there...it has had VERY minimal protection from the elements...the sun shines onit part of the day and gets wet every time it rains...I think it would make a very good coating for a tear......
madjack

[Arne]

Be sure you seal the edges well.. that is where most problems start..

[schaney]

For years I’ve been using Epifanes marine varnishes for clear finishes on wood and epoxy coated wood items such as wooden boats and trailer boxes.

Always looking for a “better way”, last year I started testing a new oil-modified, water clean-up exterior varnish by Target Coatings called HybriVar. All the positive attributes of a traditional marine varnish, with 2-3 hour recoat times and water cleanup. It also levels out very nicely when brushed on. Note: cost is similar to high quality marine spars like Epifanes.

The test panel is a piece of 9mm marine grade Okoume plywood. It was first sealed on all sides with CPES. Then I applied 6 coats of HybriVar. The panel has been in direct sun for almost 8 months now with no sign of degradation. So far it’s seen a temperate range of 22-100 degrees, lots of rain, a week of snow and has been frozen solid a few times. The panel is positioned horizontally so water will pool on it and to maximize the sun exposure.

Before recommending it, I’d like to see how it performs of at least a full year in the elements, so far, so good. Keep in mind if your trailer is stored inside or under a cover, this one year test is equal to 7-9 years of normal outside exposure.

[Mauleskinner]

Remind me never to develop and market an outdoor coating process that you'll ever know about, Schaney!

[schaney]

Come on Mauleskinner, wouldn't you want to advertise that your new super finish, passed my testing rigor

[Juneaudave]

:oops: What the concensus on exterior finishes? I was thinking Varnish would be the most durable. I plan to skin the top and leave the sides wood. I am also looking for something I can get for a resonable price at the big box stores. Thanks

What's this "concensus" crap...I'm right and everyone else is wrong!!!

[prohandyman]

The panel has been in direct sun for almost 8 months

Schaney
My hats off to ya.
With my memory as bad as it is, I would have to put a test panel like that directly in my daily walk path, so that I would step on it and kick it. I'd forget that I even made it.
I have my daily meds right in front of my wallet and keys so I don't forget them. Dang it......I'lll be right back.....................

[schaney]

The good thing about the forum is you'll find there are many acceptable ways to accomplish the same results The hard parts is picking the method you like best Or just just do it Junneaudave's method because "everyone else is wrong"

Prohandymen, I find that taking good notes and many yellow stickys is the best way to supplement my slipping memory.