Recommendations for external oil finish please

[TORB]

I have just finished making a decorative planter box out of various hardwood off cuts. Inside the box, there is a plastic planter box which basically can't be seen from the outside. I figure that way the inside will be reasonably dry.

I would like to finish it with some type of clear (or close to clear) external oil. I realise that it will have to be oiled again every 6 - 12 months and that's not an issue. The research I have looked at is confusing and opinions vary, especially between claims made by those in the business versus users.

Protection is the number one objective, so what do you people recommend please? It will get some direct sun, but will mainly be in a shaded position.

[BobL]

This topic comes up every week or so and it should be made a sticky so we don't repeat ourselves over and over.

If you are expecting to retain the natural colour of the wood even by oiling every year, or even every month, you will be disappointed with any transparent finish.
All oils and transparent finishes are transparent to UV and the natural wood colour will fade in time.

You could apply a coloured or pigmented oil but this will alter the natural colour of the wood significantly.

For maximum protection of the wood I recommend a quality brand external paint.

[justonething]

I am currently using Bondall marine varnish to paint the balcony that I am completing. It has got quite a bit of zinc in it because when you stir it, it gets quite cloudy, much more so than other exterior varnishes that I've used in the past. There was a discussion here in this forum before. Their own marketing info is here.

[TORB]

This topic comes up every week or so and it should be made a sticky so we don't repeat ourselves over and over.

All oils and transparent finishes are transparent to UV and the natural wood colour will fade in time.

You could apply a coloured or pigmented oil but this will alter the natural colour of the wood significantly.

Thanks Bob. I did examine the first few pages of threads and then did a Google search on the site to see if I could find the info myself, but that just lead to confusion.

I did find some post about pigmented oil but didn't realise the colour would be significantly changed. Looks like more research is needed into this topic.

I have used clear varnish on outside jobs before and have not been very impressed with the results. The sun seems to wreck the timber colour fairly quickly.

[BobL]

Clear oils won'y be any better than varnishes.
Most oils will also significantly darken timber but that won't last long once the UV kicks in when it will rapidly fade the natural colours even if repeatedly oiled.
The pigmented oil will hang in there a bit longer but look less and less oily and more and more chalky. Personally I think they look very artificial.

[TORB]

Thanks for the advice Bob, its appreciated but you are no fun to play with at all.

I probably should have looked at the finish problems before I did all the work, and instead, made it out of ply and just painted it. That would have been far easier than doing this.....

[yvan]

Sikkens is my preferred external "varnish".

yvan

[Fuzzie]

As far as oils go, we moved a refectory table of unknown hardwood outdoors, but under cover about 18 months ago. It was originally an indoor oil and wax finish. The table started to look dry pretty quickly so I gave it a coat of an old product I had on hand called Teak Oil. I've recoated it once since and am generally happy with the finish. Note the deck is undercover, gets some direct sun everyday but only gets wet occasionally with driven rain.

[BobL]

Nice job Ric.

Enjoy it while you can and then when it has faded it doesn't look so bad in grey, and you can always paint it then.

Planter3.jpg

[lovetoride]

I too have found Sikkens to be the best to use. The planter box is beautiful. I would put ferns in it and put it in a shady spot

[TORB]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I have decided to go with marine varnish and will try to keep it out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

[TORB]

Thanks for all the help on this project. The marine varnish turned out much better than I expected and as its in a shady spot, the finish should last and the wood remain in good condition. Thought you might like a gander to see how it finished up.

Cactus Box 1.jpg

Cactus Box 2a.jpg

[Christos]

Looks like you have done an excellent job on the planter.

[TongueTied]

The planter looks great! I really like the contrasting colour and grain direction in the middle panel. Nice work. I realise you have finished already but thought I'd throw in a thought. I saw on one of Izzy Swan's videos, he uses a mix of Teak Oil and Polyurethane mixed 50:50. I've tried it once on a redgum coffee table that lives on my deck and I'm not completely happy with it. It does seem to hold up to the elements but has gone very dull and lifeless. I may sand it back and try the marine varnish approach as you have done.

[Sawdust Maker]

I have just read an interesting article on 'Teak Oil' in the February 2015 edition of Popular Woodworking Magazine
the writer concluded with:
"Teak oils could legitimately be re-labeled "snake oil" for all they have to do with teak wood."
link here