On Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:04:33 -0700, David Nebenzahl
wrote:

On 8/18/2009 10:01 PM Mark & Juanita spake thus:

Andrew Barss wrote:

I did have a strangely terrific experience with spar varnish. I did
two exterior doors, one facing west (behind a security door), and one
facing south, in direct sun, in around 1996. Until 2 years ago, they
looked absolutely perfect. The screened westward one still looks great,
but the south one is peeling and so forth. But 10-11 years in bright sun
is pretty good!

Thanks -- that's helpful, I've got some doors that need to be re-finished.
The kid was supposed to scrape them this summer; I think he got 1/2 way
done with one of them, so will work that when it cools off. If we don't
paint them, will look at using spar.

Spar varnish is *THE* stuff to use on exterior wood, assuming you want a
glossy surface. Just recently refinished a client's front door with it.
I expect it to last at least 5 years, maybe more. Very pleasant stuff to
work with, too. (Assuming one doesn't mind contact with paint thinner.)


Varnish is mostly clear so it doesn't have as much UV protection as a
stain or paint (I would not use paint on a deck). Whatever you
decide, pay particular attention to exposed end grain--those areas
should get 2-3 coats.