Finish for verandah chairs

[AndrewPatrol]

Hi, I have built a couple of Adirondack chairs from Celery Top Pine and my wife wants to finish them, but I’d rather leave them go Grey. You know how that turns out.
So I’m looking for a finish that’s easy to apply and re-coat ( me being lazy) . I’m thinking some sort of oil that soaks in and wipes on with a rag.
They will live outside under verandah overhang so occasional sun and a bit of water from sprinkler.

open to suggestions

[verawood]

Hi Andrew

I used boiled linseed oil from bunnings and followed the instructions on the bottle and applied it to a rocking chair I made.
After that dried completely I applied a thin coat of Gilly Stevenson Cabinet Wax; then rubbed it in/off.
Worked for me; very pleased with it.

Good luck

Keith

[woodhutt]

Hi Andrew,
Basically what Keith said. There's a product here in NZ called Aquamax which is a water-based + linseed oil product available in various basic colours (natural/black/green/brown). Brush it on and the water evaporates leaving the linseed to penetrate the wood. Brushes wash out in water. Once dry, apply wax. I've used it on outdoor furniture very successfully.
Pete

[AndrewPatrol]

[QUOTE=verawood;2232196]Hi Andrew

I used boiled linseed oil from bunnings and followed the instructions on the bottle and applied it to a rocking chair I made.
After that dried completely I applied a thin coat of Gilly Stevenson Cabinet Wax; then rubbed it in/off.
Worked for me; very pleased with it.

Good luck

Keith[/QUOTE

thanks Keith. Have you had the finish on outdoor furniture and had to refinish at all? What does that entail- just more wax?

A

[orraloon]

Easiest to apply and easiest to reapply at a later date is an outdoor furniture oil. Avoid the water based. Horrible c#@p. Can't get my head around a water based oil anyhow.
Regards
John

[double.d]

Constantia Organic Finishes Chinese wood oil will be perfect for the chairs. Two coats over 2 days.

[verawood]

Gday Andrew

No I haven't had the chair outdoors, so can't comment on longevity of finish.
I gave my answer on the basis that they were to be on your verandah, so not fully exposed.
I have also used drying outdoor furniture oil as suggested by John aka Orraloon.
I think you will have to do an annual/seasonal check regardless of which way you go.
If they are considerably exposed then consider the drying outdoor oil option as it soaks in and drys with no build up.
Cheers
Keith
[QUOTE=AndrewPatrol;2232277]

Hi Andrew

I used boiled linseed oil from bunnings and followed the instructions on the bottle and applied it to a rocking chair I made.
After that dried completely I applied a thin coat of Gilly Stevenson Cabinet Wax; then rubbed it in/off.
Worked for me; very pleased with it.

Good luck

Keith[/QUOTE

thanks Keith. Have you had the finish on outdoor furniture and had to refinish at all? What does that entail- just more wax?

A

[AndrewPatrol]

Hi, well I chose a bit of a process, not just slap it on, which I spose is worthy of anything one makes.

I used Intergrain products starting with a oils/tannin remover that is just brushed on the wet timber, wait 10 minutes and hose it off. Then another deck or timber cleaner product to remove traces of 1st tannin stuff. Again wait ten minutes before hosing.

I let the chairs dry for a couple of days. The above process sounds like work but it’s not that hard, takes probably 2 hours including set up time and stealing a hand brush from the house. I followed the instructions on the tin to the letter that’s why the tannin remover and the remover for the remover. Bunnings paint guy said just use the tannin stuff but I’d rather follow manufacturers word.

Now the fun bit. Warning - Intergrain “Nature’s Timber Oil” stinks bad enough to warrant wearing a fume mask but on the other hand it wash’s up in hot water and soap.

I applied two coats and a third one on arms and seat about 4 hours between coats, so you could finish the job in a day.

the colour is about like honey and consistency is like water. Very easy to apply with a brush and a wipe of a rag after 30 minutes of applying 2nd coat onwards.

overall not too hard a process, but def not a slap it on if you adhere to the rules. I did notice a lowering of smell next morning.

Recommended if you like smelly stuff.

hope this helps someone, oh and there seems to be a few similar products on the Bunnings shelves that follow a similar regime.