Exterior finish over paint - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

AKAkopa · 07-10-2009, 06:18 PM

What type of finish does one put on an item for outdoor use when that item has been painted? Reason I am asking is that I have made a couple garden benches and a few planter boxes that the wife has painted solid with other artistic designs on the exposed surfaces. Wood used is pine. Think she has used arcylic paints. Prolly would have been easier to just get off my wallet and bought her some exterior paints but with the variety of colors she uses it would have cost an arm and a leg! Even if I had used exterior paints I would still wanted to put some type of clear coat over everything. Laquer, varnish or what? Help please.

Thanks for any advise. Pat

unixpro · 07-10-2009, 08:50 PM

I'd use a good varnish. However, before you do that, put some onto a piece of scrap and make sure that you'll get the kind of effect that you want, and that you won't find the acrylic running when you put on the overcoat. Using a spray rather than a brush for the first one or two coats would probably minimize that risk.

I wouldn't use laquer or shellac for an exterior application. Varnish will (in most cases) turn slightly yellow, and get worst over time, even with UV resistant paint, but it's harder and intended for outdoor use.

Richard Grover · 07-13-2009, 02:08 PM

Pat,

Hydrocote makes a great finish for just this type of project. It is a water based finish but works excellant over arcylic paints. They do make one especially for outdoors. I made an eagle with 60" wingspan and painted it with arcylic paints and then clear coated with Hydrocote. It has been hanging over my porch in full South Jersey sun for five years and no signs of yellowing or fading. Best of luck to you in your project.

DG Dewalt 788

07-10-2009, 06:18 PM	#1
AKAkopa Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 254	Exterior finish over paint What type of finish does one put on an item for outdoor use when that item has been painted? Reason I am asking is that I have made a couple garden benches and a few planter boxes that the wife has painted solid with other artistic designs on the exposed surfaces. Wood used is pine. Think she has used arcylic paints. Prolly would have been easier to just get off my wallet and bought her some exterior paints but with the variety of colors she uses it would have cost an arm and a leg! Even if I had used exterior paints I would still wanted to put some type of clear coat over everything. Laquer, varnish or what? Help please. Thanks for any advise. Pat

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07-10-2009, 08:50 PM	#2
unixpro I need more weekend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Seattle Area Posts: 615	I'd use a good varnish. However, before you do that, put some onto a piece of scrap and make sure that you'll get the kind of effect that you want, and that you won't find the acrylic running when you put on the overcoat. Using a spray rather than a brush for the first one or two coats would probably minimize that risk. I wouldn't use laquer or shellac for an exterior application. Varnish will (in most cases) turn slightly yellow, and get worst over time, even with UV resistant paint, but it's harder and intended for outdoor use.

07-13-2009, 02:08 PM	#3
Richard Grover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 145	Pat, Hydrocote makes a great finish for just this type of project. It is a water based finish but works excellant over arcylic paints. They do make one especially for outdoors. I made an eagle with 60" wingspan and painted it with arcylic paints and then clear coated with Hydrocote. It has been hanging over my porch in full South Jersey sun for five years and no signs of yellowing or fading. Best of luck to you in your project. DG Dewalt 788