Sharpie on garden labels

[havabeer69]

I'm keen to know more about this; it's the reason I originally posted this in the Finishing board. I know diddly about finishes and the "recipe" I have is:

• 4L mineral spirits
• 1L boiled linseed oil
• 200g paraffin wax. Melt using double-boiler. Mix in 10L bucket with other ingredients.

I think the question was asked but never answered.... how long do you need these to last?

like most "oil based" finished left out in direct sun and elements you'll be reapplying the finished every 6months to a year to keep them looking great (plus will yellow up a bit). if you don't want ongoing maintenance to 100 signs I would strongly look at a painting option.

[tryingitathome]

Ohhhh.... now that's interesting. I would have thought the oil-based finish would last longer than that, but there ya go!

In answer to the question of how long I want them to last... in an ideal world, years without any maintenance.

If painting them is, therefore, the only (or best) option for achieving three, four, five years (or more) of service before they need a touch-up, what kind of paint would you recommend I use (and not use)? Does it even matter? Would any old external paint do the trick?

Thanks very much for your help.