NA: Finishing a Porch Swing

FormerHangie

FormerHangie

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I just bought a porch swing, and am wanting to put a protective finish on it. This one is made of cypress, and I'm getting conflicting suggestions as to what product to put on it. Obviously, it's going to be sat on, so whatever goes on it needs to not come off on whomever's sitting on it. I'd rather not use paint, I'd like the wood grain to remain visible, so I'm guessing some sort of varnish or clear epoxy, with or without a stain coat, would be in order, but that's just a guess.
 
Boiled Linseed oil Maybe top coat with Johnsons paste wax. Epoxy will yellow from the UV unless you use Spar Varnish on top. Spar Varnish has UV filters. Spar varnish will work also, just hard to make it look good.
 
I've used Waterlox exterior products on my teak outdoor furniture. Nice appearance, holding up very well to sun and rain.
Think it's a linseed oil based product with additives. Not cheap.
 
It's cypress, why not let it naturally weather? I have bee hives made of cypress and I have done nothing to them and 7 years later in the all the elements they are still good, now they have turned grey. But if under a porch it should look natural for many years. Every few years hose it off. Or put a coat of natural minwax on it.
 
Spar varnish looks pretty good if you do it properly. It has to go on thick.
 
Seafin Oil or another teak oil product. Use a penetrating oil finish. Tung oil is good but teak oil products usually add some wax to build a little sheen. With any of the oils you'll need to re-coat every year or two but what's there won't peel off like a varnish will.
 
If you're going to need a clear finish, Sikkens/Cetol door and window is by far the best.
If you don't need it to be transparent, any good (I like Olympic) exterior stain should be fine.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Spar varnish looks pretty good if you do it properly. It has to go on thick.
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As in multiple coats with steel wool inbetween. If you miss with dust it will hose it up. Looks good hard to do right.
 
I'd use a transparent deck sealer. FYI, if you choose a product with linseed oil, the fire warnings on the label are for real. With the right conditions, a linseed oil soaked rag can spontaneously combust.
 
If you're going to need a clear finish, Sikkens/Cetol door and window is by far the best.
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I did our porch benches with it. So many years ago I forget (ie it really lasts).
They still look awesome.
I left a thin layer in a bucket I used to apply it with and you can peel it off the bucket to examine the dried product - it is like sealing the wood in a transparent, waterproof envelope. It comes almost clear and a variety of colors (more pigment = more UV protection)
Sikkens Cetol.
Had spent many springs before apply all sorts of other products. This one is very durable.
Should be using it on wooden a/c structures.
 
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