External finish for Elm

[Basilg]

I am finishing a sign that I have made from a large section of an Elm tree, which has one natural edge on the top, with carved incised lettering on the front face. The sign is around 1m x 0.2m x .35m.
I am putting acrylic paint inside the letters, and would like to give both the natural edge & finished surfaces a protective clear low sheen coating. I would appreciate some suggestions on what to use to provide both protection and a reasonable period between maintenance coats.

Regards

[dr4g0nfly]

The title is External Finish for Elm so I'm assuming you mean it's to be hung-up/kept outside in the elements.

I'd go with an Oil finish, Start with a thinned Raw Linseed Oil to get penetration then full strength for full weather protection.

[Mr Brush]

It won't help - the wombats will eat it anyway.......

[Basilg]

dr4g0nfly

Yes, it will be kept outdoors. An oil finish is something I favour for its looks and ease of maintenance, unfortunately with our weather it goes very dark quite quickly.
Although, I did not want the look of polyurethane, I have decided to use this, as its other attributes seem to outweigh the negative plastic look.


Mr Brush

I actually installed signs along the boundary several months ago saying " Admittance to Lignin intolerant Wombats only ", Since then no trees have been eaten, so it must have worked. Besides, our Wombats are just too polite for such a nefarious act, they leave their callings cards each evening just to let us know they are visiting.

Regards

[Basilg]

Well I have finished the sign with three coats of Matt Polyurethane, which has more gloss that I wanted but I think the pros outweigh the cons.

I have changed my original plan to mount stainless steel pipes onto the back of the sign and fix those into the ground. I am confident the pipe that I have will support the weight of the sign, but it is thin wall pipe and has some flex, & I feel it is going to develop brewers droop.

Soo I am now looking at two supports directly under the sign, probably in a truncated pyramid shape, from either wood, stone or cast coloured concrete.

Regards

[AngelaPetruzzi]

wouldn't oils be a better option for outside? with poly, the softner will dry out and will evenutally cause the coating to crack. once cracked the timber will start to grey off and then to re do, one would require to sand back. If you want the wombats something to nibble on, give them something that doesn't kill them. Use Livos oils. penetrating and easy to re do.

[Mr Brush]

Basilg - 'tis a beautiful thing to behold ! Do you take commissions???

Could you dull down the finish slightly with appropriate steel wool or synthetic pad? I seem to remember Rustins selling a finishing kit (Plastic Coating?) that claims to provide both gloss and satin finish from the one kit. On closer examination the material provided is gloss finish, but they include a wad of steel wool in the kit to get the satin finish.....

I wouldn't bother with that expensive Livos stuff if I were you.......

[Basilg]

Angela

I have not tried Livos, but other oils I have found go very dark, The end grain on the sign was given several coats of Linseed oil to reduce the chances of splitting before applying the Poly and this has worked but darkened the wood.

I wanted to protect the appearance of the grain as mush as possible on the face of the sign, & that was one reason why I chose the poly. What has been your experience in using Livos on work exposed to the elements.

Mr Brush

Yes, commissions are accepted.

I tried dulling the surface of the Poly with fine paper and a synthetic pad, but this makes the surface go milky. I think given time the surface will dull due to weather, so I shall see what it looks like in twelve months or so ( if I can work up the courage to put it out in the weather )

Regards

[J.B.W]

I would use a quality marine grade varnish like an Epifanes product. Looks good for a long time out in the weather although is expensive.

[Basilg]

G'day all

After much agonising over the selection of the finish for the sign & then the installation. I decided to use Feast Watson Weatherproof Satin, & mount the sign on two 65 mm square section gal steel posts buried in concrete in the ground.

Thanks for your comments, it is always beneficial to bounce ideas of others.

Regards

[AngelaPetruzzi]

You must be pleased, it looks fantastic.

[Basilg]

Angela

I am very pleased thanks, but also still looking for ways to improve the aesthetic.

Thanks again to all, & a gold star to Feast Watson, their Weatherproof finish seems to have done the job.

Regards