Outdoor sign finish

[bmyers]

I plan on using red oak that I have around and wanted a natural or unpainted finish. This is for my sister and she's not much for having to refinish a sign every year. What would be a good clear bullet proof outdoor finish for this project?


Thanks,
Bill

[Skaning]

Using red oak for outside service you really need to seal it up well. Red as opposed to white is very porous along the grain, you can actually blow smoke through it. White oak on the other hand was used for ship timbers and the old wooden beds of pickup trucks since it has a closed grain. That said, I would use a spar varnish as a minimum. Minwax does make a poly exterior spar product that lays down pretty well and dries quickly. There are other marine products out there but a lot are slow drying and are a bear to flow a smooth coat on. Consider sealing the end grain with epoxy then overcoat.

[pelligrini]

There really isn't a Bullet Proof outdoor clear finishing product, especially if it's going to get a lot of UV exposure. There are some finishes that can last a while though. Most will work even better if the doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight. I haven't used it, but from everyting I've read Penofin makes some of the best and longest lasting outdoor products. http://www.penofin.com/

Skaning makes a good point about the Red Oak grain. It is very porous and those pores run a long ways. You might want to use a wood that is better suited for outdoors.

[cabinetman]

There really isn't a Bullet Proof outdoor clear finishing product, especially if it's going to get a lot of UV exposure. There are some finishes that can last a while though. Most will work even better if the doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight. I haven't used it, but from everyting I've read Penofin makes some of the best and longest lasting outdoor products. http://www.penofin.com/

Skaning makes a good point about the Red Oak grain. It is very porous and those pores run a long ways. You might want to use a wood that is better suited for outdoors.

+1. I would suggest Penofin red label. Using any kind of spar varnish will require involved maintenance.

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[schloff]

I'm a recent convert to Red label Penofin. Easy as oil to apply and gives a wonderful look. still awiting to see what the TN sun does to it this summer.

1 coat isn't enough. At least 2 coats. Probably more for oak.

I used it on red cedar. Oak, untreated will rot fast outside. Oak, with any urethane will peel, then rot quickly outside.

[LCHIEN]

red oak, as mentioned by the other posters, is probably not the best choice for this application, regardless of finish.

[Tom Slick]

Most wood outdoor signs around here are made of Redwood.