On 5/20/2010 5:23 PM, Winston wrote:
On 5/20/2010 1:57 PM, Chris Friesen wrote:
On 05/20/2010 01:53 PM, Winston wrote:
Hi all.

I just finished installing the fence gate that I mentioned
about a month ago. SWMBO informed me that she likes the
redwood grain appearance so I would like your advice on a fast
inexpensive, great looking coating to preserve the look of
the wood. This is out in the "weather" (1) 24 x 7 so durability
is most important.

Spar varnish. Thin the first coat or two so it "sinks in" better.


Very good. Thanks, Chris.

Personally I'd go for a penetrating stain purpose made for redwood decks
and fences.

Whatever you use, if it's a clear finish you're going to have to
maintain it regularly--that means inspect annually and usually recoat
every couple of years, in some cases after stripping the finish. Clear
finishes just don't hold up well in exterior applications.

Read all the instructions carefully, and understand that the people who
make the stuff are _serious_--you can't cut corners or the stuff is
going to look like Hell and come off in patches in a short time--also
don't try to follow some generic procedure--different materials have
different applications requirements. If it says "pressure wash and coat
in two hours" then pressure wash and coat in two hours. If it says
"sand and wait three months" then sand and wait three months.