How to Build & Finish an Outdoor Table Top - Best Exterior Wood Finish

[@BilboYachts]

Absolutely love my Dubuque clamps, best purchase I have ever made, clamp-wise.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Couldn't agree more!

[@picklemetimbers3003]

Sapele is gorgeous. I just got a 48"x 15" x 2" live edge slab of Cuban Mahagony. Was thinking of using sapele for the legs to give the bench a 2 tone orange/brown look. Although I might go with ebonized white oak for the legs. Decisions..Decisions.. I am also using Gleam 2.0 gloss with 2 final finish coats of their satin. Love your work. Always reference your channel when I have a project to do.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

That’s awesome! Thanks.. sounds like a great project!

[@patrickjames1080]

Total Boat - Brilllllliant selection for the outdoors

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Definitely! I’ve tried a few and the Gleam has held up the best 👍

[@andyfarmer759]

Thanks Jon, I am just in the process of designing an outdoor table, I would never have considered a drip edge. What a great idea.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Andy. The drip edge really works great 👍

[@andyfarmer759]

@@JonPetersArtHome I will be adding it to my plans. Thanks

[@dennisdownes9319]

All your tables...........Spectacular Jon!! DD

[@BentleyDesignCo]

As per usual, you did a fantastic job! That grain is beautiful! And thanks for the tip about gloss first! I’ve never heard that one before! 👍🏻

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! That was news to me too so I wanted to pass it on 👍

[@SawdustmakerLori]

Great information to know......thanks for sharing! The table and all your projects turn out beautiful. I'd like to try the Total Boat Gleam outdoors here in Arizona to see how it holds up to our extreme summers.

[@c.a.g.1977]

Congrats for your son! That sapele just looks sooooo good when the finish goes on.... 🤤🤤🤤

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@branchandfoundry560]

That's a good looking table, Jon! Glad you've found a finish that works outdoors & got over the hump of frustration a few years back.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Andrew!

[@jacktyler7599]

Gosh, that's gorgeous! And Jon, I've appreciated you sharing your experiences with TotalBoat. I have several decades of experience maintaining exterior woods on boats...but that was before this brand appeared on the market. Boaters constantly complain about lack of longevity with marine finishes; I'm looking forward to trying this on the next boat.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Jack, it really does work great… But with anything outside it is good to maintain it… I’m planning to give the projects I made last year a light sanding and another coat in the next couple of weeks

[@jimrosson6702]

Looks amazing beautiful table

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@jgbcodemonkey]

What a quality table top! That sapele really popped under the gloss finish. Nice work!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@thomasvinson9126]

Thanks Jon , by showing your process I feel that I can be more confident about making outdoor furniture. PS the tables look great.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Thomas, that’s great to hear👍

[@jamiemajerick91]

I always enjoy your projects and the tips I learn along the way. Thank you for your videos!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Great to hear thanks!

[@jaredmartin6164]

Great video as always. Table looks great. Congrats to your boy on graduating college.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@Drevid]

Love Sapele also and your table top looks amazing

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@tomim7187]

Wow, that sepele really pops! Looks like a million bucks. Those Dubuque clamps are the best! I have 2 dozen or so and they are my primary clamps. Whenever I go to Klingspor Woodworking Shops I grab a couple more. Jon, super project!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! Definitely… love these clamps 👍

[@bowtuk]

Jon, That finish is amazing. My wife wants a table to go on the covered deck of our new home, this will be a lifetime finish for the top. Probably going to go with sapele as well, thank you for showing your process.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! That’ll last forever on a covered deck… The toughest thing on the wood and finish is the sun.

[@salvatoreclaps4374]

Great job! Does any one know a suppler for Sapele for 1x8x7 lenghths . I am in South Carolina. tx

[@TotalBoat]

Beautiful build! 😍😍

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@sapelesteve]

That is a beautiful table Jon! Love the wood & the finish! Well done! 👍👍👏👏

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Steve!

[@michaelr7110]

Thank you for sharing Mr. Peters!!! and Hello from Alexandria VA!!!!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@Recycle-DIY]

Wow! i definitely was impressed and learned some pro tips. Thanks! 👍

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ericfontana2092]

looks great !!

[@stingray427man]

Came out beautiful. I like using spanish cedar for outdoor projects paired w UV resistant boat epoxy, its somewhat messy work but it lasts the longest and it can take varnish as maintenance.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! That sounds like a great finish and I love Spanish cedar… We don’t get it much around here

[@thesplinteredfinger]

Jon, that is such a beautiful table!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

All those tables & especially the tops are dope Jon!!! Looks that that Total Boat is a great choice for the outdoor stuff. Hoping all is well Bud, Dirty Jersey out!!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Brother! Hope you are enjoying the nice weather… great for cutting lawns… boy do we need some rain.

[@WoodenCreationz]

Looks amazing Jon!!! Brian

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Brother!

[@DavidABMobiliarios]

WAOOO!!! COMO SIEMPRE JON, EXCELENTE TRABAJO👍👍SALUDOS DESDE PERÚ.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@dagored100]

thats looking beautiful... very nice wood..

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@waytall9213]

Great video. How long do you expect that finish to last before refinishing? And did you thin the varnish before applying? If so, with what and at what ratio? Thanks!

[@tomm8188]

As usual, awesome video. Congrats on the latest graduation!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Tom!

[@MrRadtech22]

Gorgeous work man!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks!

[@MASI_forging]

Scuh a good place to work. 👏👏

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks, yes I’m very lucky… we bought the house about 25 years ago when things weren’t so crazy.

[@Joseph-o4l8p]

Hi Jon, what size of a drip edge are you using? By the way, fantastic tables and video’s. We’re building 3 - 4’ x 8’ x 20” deep elevated self irrigating planters out of Cedar and want to apply the drip edge to the top trim. Thanks.

[@andrewbrown8148]

Wow, what a beautiful table top~!! Great job, Jon~!! I have to find a Sapele source somewhere down here in the south.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! So nice to work with 👍

[@batmansdad3195]

Seems like it's time to make some outdoor chairs, benches or a swing of sorts..

[@JonPetersArtHome]

For sure 👍

[@overbrookpresbyterianchurc9023]

Beautiful table and finish! I am working on a white oak quarter sawn table. It is about 72" X 40". Do you think I could do it with a quart of gloss and a quart of satin?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

@@overbrookpresbyterianchurc9023 thanks! Yeah, I think that should be enough… The first coat will drink up the most.

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Beautiful Job! I'm curious if you've had any experience with the newer water based Polyurethanes? I was told by one manufacturer that water based poly is more flexible. My main concern is the finish flaking off over time, which I believe is caused by UV and flexing from expansion/contraction. I live in Southern CA and the sun can be extra hard on wood furniture.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Hi Richard, I haven’t had good experiences with waterborne clear finishes outdoors. I posted an update to this table and other outdoor projects just a few weeks ago. It’s a short video that answers some other important questions for Outdoor finishes. I think it will be helpful. UV protection - I built a table for my mom’s deck a few years ago… Full sun exposure most of the day. She puts a white cotton tablecloth on the table top that’s waited, so it doesn’t blow away. The tablecloth gets wet from the rain and then dries out in the sun. If you don’t mind using a tablecloth when the table is not being used and this is a good way to protect against UV damage.

[@williamcooper5009]

Making a table for our deck; again. Having issues (as you did) doing the top fully glued as opposed to doing it like decking boards. The glued to (reclaimed vertical grain redwood) moves quite a bit and makes a “U” shape. My wood guru said it table is outdoors, that will always happen. I recall 2 failures of yours at Jersey shore table for same reason. Why do you think this will work? Thanks for your vids. You do great stuff! Oh, beautiful table here!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! I think this will work with a little bit of maintenance… Number one the Thixo epoxy… Number to the word choice, Sapele … and number three the finish. It is also important to cover the table as much as possible to protect it from the sun not the water… The table at the Jersey shore is often covered with a white cotton tablecloth. The tablecloth can get rained on and then dry with the sun and wind. So far the table down the shore is doing really good … I’m planning to give it another coat or two in a few weeks and I plan to post an update video.

[@williamcooper5009]

@@JonPetersArtHome Thanks. Then why did the other tables fail? Mine is doing okay. Forms a U on occasion. We don’t cover is. I’m guessing that is a place to start. Reclaimed VG redwood is very stable. I used PPG (Sikkens) as the coating. I used TB3 but no Dominos. I’ll try again. I have 7/8” thick Odorata (Spanish cedar). This time I’ll use Dominos and make sure to cover it.

[@ChrisAllen-o3j]

Would Tightbond 3 work as well for outdoor glue-ups?

[@robb199]

Great info! Can I apply this varnish on top of teal oil or is best to use the gleam as the sole product? Any insight on the ease reapplying or rejuvenating the finish after a couple years in the elements?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks, I would not apply over teak oil… giving the finish a fresh coat every year or two is a good idea… first sanding with 220

[@thomassemich4627]

Thanks man, I just became a subscriber! It looks great ! How long does this finish hold up before it needs redone in partial sun and full sun?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! I like to give the top of the table tops a light sanding with 220 and apply a fresh coat every year or two

[@ronludington5393]

Hello Jon, that is very nice. Can you tell us what you do for a final finish ? Do you sand or buff the final coat ? And does this finish smooth out or are you applying very thin ?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thank you, when I use varnish I don’t buff or rub out the finish… after the last coat it’s done.

[@robertcolantonio2254]

Beautiful as always Jon! Im about to build a small cedar fence in my yard and was wondering if you would recommend the finish you used here to protect it. Thanks!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks Robert! I’m sure about a fence… I might go with Totalboat teak oil… it’s more of a penetrating oil finish then a film finish. I used it on the planters I built this spring you can check out the video on my channel if you like

[@robertcolantonio2254]

@@JonPetersArtHome ok thanks!

[@billysaunders544]

Does the wood not twist or warp in the sun/weather?

[@brianfletcher7993]

I recently refinished an exterior heart pine door with a spar varnish. Would you expect that to need to be refinished again in a few years? And if so, would Total Boat be your choice in that case?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I like to give the finish a new coat once a year or two… first sanding with 220

[@briangranvall4664]

Jon. How well does this method hold up for heavier commercial use such as at a brewpub?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

It’s holding up really good… for a brewpub you might want to give it another coat every year or two

[@glennm449]

How come you replaced your Bosch miter saw?

[@Luqman899]

Hi Jon, the table looks great... quick question, when you sand between coats are you sanding by hand or using a sander? also how heavy handed is your sanding technique? thanks

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks! Not too heavy… I just want to remove the nubs and I send by hand

[@jhcampbell7528]

Hi Jon. That is a great looking table. You said that the old table was your one/only time using hickory. Do you not like hickory? I'm pretty new, and I've never used it...except for BBQ.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I think I got it on sale and just wanted to try it out… it’s kind of like white oak but not as nice … I have heard that it’s used for barbecues

[@bigfishbri962]

Hi Jon, I am curious how does the TB gleam spar varnish compare to the TB halycon varnish you had been using in recent vids? I just put 6 coats of the halycon on some cedar for a small outdoor project.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Hi Brian, the bench and bee cabinet top with Halycon are doing good… but I’m still old-school and lean towards a solvent-based finish. Also the Gleam really pops the Sapele

[@CasaDiBates]

Jon, is it okay to apply this marine varnish over a light minwax stain?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I think so as long as it is dry… You can play it safe by making a test piece first

[@CasaDiBates]

@JonPetersArtHome true. That test piece has saved us more than once. It's why we changed our minds about a full epoxy seal.

[@IRAKLICHIKHLADZE]

Jon, please, for the love of God advise what is the best indoors and outdoors finish for furniture made of kiln dry Idaho pine for? Please advise

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I think TotalBoat halcyon would be a good choice…. I built a white oak bench a few weeks ago and finished it with halcyon… the project video is on my channel.

[@IRAKLICHIKHLADZE]

@@JonPetersArtHome thank you so very much

[@ryanw3874]

The spar varnish is untinted? What gives it the color?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

@@ryanw3874 the varnish has a warm honey color…but it’s mostly the wood

[@josephtwilley7187]

Are you wearing a web belt? Military issue?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Yea, not military issue

[@normancarnahan4893]

Why didn’t you use the old tabletop as a template for a router smooth edge - after doing a rough cut with jigsaw?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I did, it’s in the video

[@seanconnolly903]

How long do wait till you flip the top to apply finish to the other side?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I use blocks of wood with screws sticking through to support the work… This way I can finish the top while the bottom is still wet

[@joshuahasson9687]

How’s your Mom’s table holding up? I need to make some exterior furniture at the end of this year &/or early next.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Really good, she keeps a white cotton tablecloth on it in the summer to protect it from the sun… I should do the same… I’m planning to give it another coat of varnish in the next couple of weeks and I’ll try to post an update

[@Flmarques]

Beautiful project! Would you be concerned in case some kids spilled on your new table at the graduation party?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Thanks, no not at all the varnish is a very strong finish.

[@MisterKisster]

Has anyone tried using epoxy as a base coat under the varnish? I did and it was pretty long lasting.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I think when they build epoxy river table‘s that’s what they do… I don’t think they use varnish for finish though some kind of a polish

[@Gelovan682]

why not coat the entire project with epoxy then varnish it. Not just for joining.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

That’s an idea

[@martingo2680]

Any woodworker knows by now that outdoor finishes have become nothing but garbage. And I say that from experience. I used many products and no matter the hype, you will have to reapply them again

[@JonPetersArtHome]

agreed, but after years of outdoor projects this product and this system works the best for me… All that being said needs a little maintenance once every year or two

[@HitokiriShingo]

Are you Corpse Grinder from Cannibal Corpse?

[@JonPetersArtHome]

😂 I heard about that band on Steve Ramsey‘s show… podcast… Just looked him up actually seems like a nice guy

[@HitokiriShingo]

@@JonPetersArtHome no way. From Steve Ramsey? Metal.

[@painandinjurydoctor]

wow. very impressive, thanks for uploading.