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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NSW southern Highlands
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    0

    Default External finish for Elm

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Bristol, UK
    Age
    66
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    0

    Default

    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.
    Dragonfly
    No-one suspects the dragonfly!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Darkest NSW
    Posts
    93

    Default

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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NSW southern Highlands
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    0

    Default

    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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NSW southern Highlands
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    0

    Default Finished the Elm Sign

    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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    206

    Default oil finish for outside

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Darkest NSW
    Posts
    93

    Default

    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.......

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NSW southern Highlands
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    0

    Default

    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

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    10

    Default

    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NSW southern Highlands
    Posts
    0

    Default

    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

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    206

    Default

    You must be pleased, it looks fantastic.
    Last edited by ubeaut; 12th October 2011 at 04:23 PM.
    Livos Australia

    <O</O

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    NSW southern Highlands
    Posts
    0

    Default

    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

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