How to Choose the Best Finish for Outdoor Projects

What is the best outdoor finish? If you're planning on adding some furniture to your porch or outdoors, Chris Marshall explains your options and shows what he used on his mahogany porch swing project. Learn what finishes are best for outdoor furniture. How to apply stain or paint on outdoor furniture.
Subscribe to this channel for new weekly video woodworking lessons, tips and tricks:
/ woodworkersjournal
Get more FREE project plans, expert tips and tool updates in our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here:
www.woodworkersjournal.com/wel...
Visit our website for the best woodworking projects and lessons:
www.woodworkersjournal.com/

[@tysmith7646]

Such a useful video. Love how you went through all the options and showed what you used in the end. Very helpful.

[@p018112]

I know nothing about working with wood. I was looking for the best option for an unfinished pine wood piece that I was to use outdoor. This gave the basics. Clear, easy to understand and simple. Thank you!

[@roncollins4908]

Great video. You were born for this. Perfect rate of speech, clarity and kept my interest through the entire video. I also appreciate the tips, because i plan to build a wood privacy panel for my rear deck this weekend and had no idea how to treat it. I appreciate your time and knowledge. I just had to subscribe after this.

[@mikem6176]

Thanks for the crystal clear discussion of finish options. I’m refinishing some wood outdoor furniture that I foolishly left, um, outdoors, and now it looks like driftwood.

[@timdaniels2100]

The swing was stunning. Perfect choice for finish, in my opinion.

[@Zincink]

This was very helpful for my Mother’s Day bench project. Thanks for sharing!

[@thatchanguy]

So helpful! thank you so much for the valuable information on HOW to make decisions instead of just what you ended up with.

[@daviddecesare4666]

This is exactly the content and clarity I was looking for. Thanks

[@Soulbloom1]

Very thorough, clear and not too long. Thanks.

[@hullpros7380]

Great video, nicely put together with good info. Thank you!!

[@kenl3515]

awesome, this is the easiest video to understand about this topic. thank u

[@quetzalflight5790]

THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH Helped me at lot with the stain approach to the outdoor and colon...frame. God Christ BlessThanks again

[@richardt2905]

Ran across this video and really appreciated the breakdown. Awesome!

[@MathPiSG]

Excellent video with clear explanations!

[@yomomma5295]

Think you for this video!

[@bumstudios8817]

Feeling a little more confident about my choice now! Thanks

[@MP-zf7kg]

Perfectly done video, right to the point.

[@orscrub3161]

nice job! short, sweet and to the point! thank you!

[@virbone7141]

an excellent explanation of the material, thanks the efforts put in

[@emailrobertbm]

One of best instructors out there

[@clairehodge5951]

SUUUCH a perfect video!! Three cheers! Thank you for making it!

[@user-pv2ef7zt9r]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@pogimacho]

Thank you, very helpful video

[@40redfox40]

VERY informative, thank you

[@Dana-cv1gf]

Thanks for the excellent information.

[@jcvaluations]

Super informative thank you

[@hemipower63]

👍 Exactly what I wanted to hear👍

[@q011519]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@christinatrodriguez8427]

This was very helpful. I’m thinking of doing porch signs and wasn’t sure the pros and cons between oil and water based. Very clear and to the point.

[@mmommo-hx4dx]

im here to find out water vs. oil too!

[@paulbroderick8438]

I intend coating my new Mahagony front door with Ready Seal Mahagony 130. I have masked off the critical areas so wish me luck with the brush!!

[@thomasinacollins8003]

I like this look

[@Pamsmith59]

SUCH great info. THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge.

[@edreed5571]

Knowledge is power. Knowledge reigns supreme over nearly everybody.

[@marypolancodesigns]

Very helpful thank you!

[@markp6062]

Good info! thanks for sharing!

[@DestinyEzurs]

perfectly informative

[@JNosewicz7569]

Great video!

[@AnthonyMartinez-ke8jy]

Good tips and good video

[@himaunshuagte7992]

This was a perfect video. Answered all my questions that many others could not. Clear and concise. Thanks!

[@Astrotastic12]

Awesome video!!! What about finish for wooden planters/ flower containers?

[@laurenfrancisco5812]

Awesome information and straight to the point! Thank you!

[@JoeDoeOutdoors]

Hey awesome channel ☺ Keep it up!

[@forliberty1805]

I wish you could show us what the side of that swing looks like as I'd like to see how you designed the cup holder section.

[@josephford5296]

I wish I could give this video 2 thumbs up!

[@karenruehle-kumar88]

Nice video. Thank you for explaining the decision making process with readily available products. Great for a beginner!

[@janae9212]

Excellent video friend! I am curious to know, what would be your choice for a large 20x40 deck? Partial sun/shade.... I have been looking everywhere and have not found any product I seem to like or one that seems like it would protect the wood well enough.

[@dmytrovolodimirovich]

Thank you for the video, which one would you recommend to be used as a coat for the deck timber floor outside - water-based or oil-based varnish? My concern is the water influence and durability.

[@emo65170.]

Very informative and concise video. Well done.

[@craftedworkshop]

Good tips, Chris. I will be experimenting with spraying on General Finishes Exterior 450, a water based outdoor finish. I've used spar varnishes in the past but they are a pain to apply.

[@chuckbruning4021]

I've used the450 it's great product. When I spra

[@boonejalen6112]

pro tip : you can watch series on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching a lot of movies lately.

[@yahirtheo4976]

@Boone Jalen Yup, have been watching on Flixzone for since november myself :D

[@mitchelllyle6061]

@Boone Jalen Yea, have been using Flixzone for since december myself :)

[@BobDiamondRPhNC]

It has been my experience that spar varnishes peel and lift rather quickly; even when I used them on wooden boat masts; their intended use.

[@yokrob9279]

Thank you for this review, quite helpful. I think you need to do the deck now as it looks like it needs freshening up. I would love to see the "After" photos. Thanks :-)

[@l.crossjr]

Very unbias. Thanks

[@OkieRed58]

We have new pine porch posts,ceiling & shutters. Did you use Olympic? I had chosen Minwax but read not for exterior. I think we want a semi-transparent.

[@auntbusy3899]

Hi, thanks for your video. I’m trying to re purpose a shelving system to use out doors in my backyard. Besides paint, I’m using vinyl wallpaper, for the sides and back of the shelving system. The wood is some sort particle board. What should I use to seal it, and protect it from the Florida sun and rain? Will sealers adhere to the vinyl? Should I use a water based polyurethane first over the paint to seal the wood, and then apply the vinyl wallpaper? Will the wallpaper stick to the sealer? I also would rather have a matte finish, but don’t even know if any of this is possible. This is my first project.....so I am a bit lost. Any help would be appreciated.

[@KaliBlaz]

i used a water based semi transparent outdoor stain for some outdoor furniture i made, it dried rather flat, i would like to give it some sort of glossy wet look, is there anything i can use over the stain?

[@pupakearoad5483]

Have an old 1950's Paul Frankl style rattan couch and chairs that have been sanded and cleaned of old finish. What do you suggest for the finish coat? Am considering Watco oil rather than varnish. This is an indoor set. Would varnish be a better choice, or will the danish oil give a nice finish that will dry well so that cushions won't be damaged by any oil? Thank you

[@stephenmerritt5750]

Nice video. Don't forget to fix that warped deck board in the corner of the deck.

[@miked.80]

Hi Friends, I am in need of some advice from an old pro. I am wanting to make my own deck and fence stain. I hear that people take a clear recycled oil from bulk dealers and mix with a homemade stain concentrate. 1 part concentrate to 4 parts of the clear oil. I cant seem to find a formula of ingredients for the concentrate. Thanks for your help.

[@Charluna60]

Great video thanks! I do have a question though. Would it be better to stain seal your project before you assemble it? That way your ahead of the game for a couple of years right?

[@jamesschumacher7143]

I have some reclaimed, finished oak boards that I’d like to put to use in an outdoor project. Can I put an exterior finish over the top of the interior finish?

[@mardakworkshop4450]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@daleb5696]

the paint you used for the chair shown in the video say "Interior" on the can ? is that ok for exterior?

[@nabilassal6410]

is one coat of clear Rust-oleum varnish is enough for patio furniture

[@heavymechanic2]

I have a project made of plywood and the appearance is not important to me. I used Boiled Linseed Oil to preserve wood from the elements. Do you have any opinion of using linseed oil to prevent rain from warping plywood?. Its a box to hold earthworms used to make garden compost.

[@raptango_na6199]

What color is the Valspar pant on the Adirondack chair?

[@eyesurgeon728]

Painting a woodworking project? Fine. Painting Mahogany? Pure Evil.

[@TheTrueChuckNorris]

Or old growth heart redwood. Sacrilege.

[@tomsamper4345]

Amen

[@fredcdobbs823]

Can a solid-colored wood stain just be thinned to a semi-transparent wood stain consistency? How does an exterior stain differ from a standard wood stain such as the Minwax used in a Ron Hazelton video following yours?

[@ImVictoriaD]

What would be the best finish for the front door that get's a lot of sun (facing South) and occasional rain? I would like it to be stained charcoal so I could see the wood pattern (not painted solid black) and then finished with protective coat that won't crack, peel, isn't toxic and can be easily maintained on my own? My guess is that it got to be oil. I wonder if it's a good idea and what should I expect, how often it needs to maintained, etc. Thank you!

[@darkshaman7087]

Im making a new chicken coop soon and i'm wondering what would be the best weather shield for plywood as there are so many different products out there these days, also as I'm from Wales in the U.K we get a lot of wet weather.

[@joesalemi2414]

Is it advisable to put a spar varnish over an outdoor stain for a cedar tabletop that lives in the sun and fully exposed to rain and snow?

[@gerardoramos8935]

What would you use on a picnic table?

[@francesanjanette2070]

Okay this is absolutely wild, but can I apply spar varnish over the stain and will it actually help things stay longer?

[@terry7893]

What's the longest protection for a privacy fence? Stain? Paint? Varnish? Thompson's wood sealer?

[@Charluna60]

Oh, I also have questions about that swing. The stock I have in that type of wood is shorter. Would it be practical to add more braces or supports to accommodate the length of the wood I have? I really would like to use my Mahogany it's so beautiful I would just have to alter each pattern.

[@MP-zf7kg]

just for anyone browsing.... use your "showcase" wood for just that, showcase. Mix the mahogany with complementary woods, with mahogany being the main attraction.

[@rapidstorm2000]

What is the best outdoor sealer that will keep the whites white?

[@clevergamer6704]

I can tell that this guy knows what he's talking about

[@svids998]

What is that exact product you ended up using?

[@drmkiwi]

Interesting, thanks. For outdoor furniture how fine a grit do you sand to before applying the stain?

[@kperellie]

I would never go less than 80 grit. The more tooth provided for the finish to adhere to the better. If the wood is dry and the proper sanding techniques are followed, the wood will be more than smooth enough.

[@kperellie]

I chose the wrong wording for my comment. I meant to say never finer than 80 grit. 60 would be better.

[@ronaldtreitner1460]

all good but there are other finishes besides paint, varnish, and stain. it would have been nice if you also used some of the other popular choices like poly for instance, so we could compare.

[@wthomas5697]

So what sort of finish would you use on an exterior porch hardwood floor? Doesn't get a ton of weather but sometimes rain gets in. Heavy traffic though.

[@joonyaboy]

Very helpful. Now is there a product that leaves the wood looking the same? Not darker at all? Even the clears I see seem to darken the wood.

[@theenderface7379]

All finishes, water/oil based, even clear paints will darken the wood to a point. A certain amount of moisture from the finish will absorb into the wood and that's why it goes darker. It's just a fact of life we all have to accept and adjust our final image to.

[@Swampkrew]

Did you use a conditioner first?

[@ryancarlson8373]

Im building a beetle kill lumber fence and the colors come out with mineral oil. What product would you recommend to protect this fence that will see alot of sun and to keep it's natural look with low maintenance.

[@WoodworkersJournal]

Unfortunately, Sun exposure, maintaining a natural look, and low maintenance, are things that don't usually go together. UV light is very hard on lumber. Wood species that are exposed to full sun is going to eventually change color - most commonly it will turn a silver/weathered grey color. Any finish that protects for more than a year against UV damage will contain some form or pigment/color, meaning it will change the color of the wood. We don't have much experience with beetle kill pine, so I don't have a specific recommendation. Rather than steer you in the wrong direction with a general exterior wood finish suggestion that may not be the same for beetle kill wood, our best advice is to look up some of the companies online that sell beetle kill exterior siding and ask them for their recommendation. They will have knowledge/experience of seeing how this species changes over time and how different finishes effect the appearance.

[@ryancarlson8373]

WoodworkersJournal Thank you for your time and advice!

[@Razorokc]

It's frustrating to hear some one say that Paint & primer give you a one-coat coverage. Anyone that has any experience at all knows that there is no such thing as one-coat coverage. I don't care what the product is. If you want color depth, you want tone Depth and you want a good Sheen flow you're always going to 2 coat your projects. It's just going to look better.

[@ivmivmivm]

I tried using BEHR's Clear Transparent Waterproofing Exterior Wood Finish. Would not recommend. It turned the surface tacky. It feels sort of like bad latex paint. Might be fine for floors, but I wouldn't recommend it for woodworking. Gonna have to sand it down and try again with something else. Probably spar urethane.

[@steveadams4009]

If you use epoxy to seal an outdoor project how can i protect it from UV deterioration?

[@paulmryglod4802]

Steve Adams automotive clear coat

[@Soulbloom1]

what about a pre-stain conditioner?

[@WoodworkersJournal]

Not very useful in these applications. It is mostly used when staining hardwood that blotches easily, and almost always for interior uses where you are attempting a very nice finish.

[@louisjt395]

Be nice if you showed a close up of the can like you did with other products. can discern what you actually used.

[@jeliarra]

Uh, when you say "All I have to do is clean...." what does that mean? Soap and water or more *@&#^ sanding? Was hoping you would mention Tung oil and linseed; I like the idea of wax, but we know what sun/heat does to wax... melt. OR would melting into the wood be a good thing? Thanks much for the info video, quite helpful!

[@davebashford3753]

It's odd that he didn't mention the problem of spar varnish peeling and looking like crap within a year or two. I would also point out that he said "commercially available", which precludes great, cheap DIY finishes.

[@zippitydoowopjoe]

Do you have any suggestions as far as a top coat over a stained door?

[@davebashford3753]

@@zippitydoowopjoe I'm not an expert by any means, but I like oil finishes like tung oil, BLO, or teak oil. If it's protected from the sun and rain, a wipe-on oil-based varnish would also work if not applied too thick. I'm guessing that I was thinking of a combination of BLO/paraffin/turpentine when I made my comment. But nothing is a decent finish too sometimes. Any surface finish will peel and need work sooner than I'd like.

[@chadbingham8069]

I always understood that stains don't offer protection.

[@cmcclo1]

It would hurt to catch your foot on that sprung board.

[@ocbosco_]

Jive Turkey p

[@clandry1234]

Spar varnish and spar polyurethane are two different things.

[@CheeseBae]

Wrong about the paint/primer thing. If you read the label it tells you it's only paint/primer on existing paint. On bare wood the label will still typically tell you to prime the wood first. That's because paint/primer doesn't have primer in it at all, it's just regular paint that is "high hiding." But actual primer does more than just cover what's underneath.

[@-Stop-it]

I am surprised that staining is adequate protection for any piece of wood that is going to be outdoors.

[@ebikebatteryrepair]

this guy look and talk alike norman workshop guy

[@amargnwalkr]

"One coat on bare wood and you're done" -yeah, no.

[@olafbigandglad]

Huh. And here I thought woodworking was all about, you know making stuff out of wood.

[@CrashTestPrivate]

Painting mahogany isn’t just a shame, it’s a crime.

[@evadevries2952]

He forgot the end all be all: Awlgrip Clear...for when refinishing every 2 years starts getting old.

[@ironocy496]

I've done such extensive researching and there is no such thing as exterior semi-transparent oil based stain that isn't a wood and deck sealer. Even the brand you show as an example, Olympic Elite, is a wood stain and sealer and there even is a picture of a patio and deck on it. It's deck stain and sealer. I've spent days looking for this mythical non-deck stain and sealer that is somehow oil based, semi-transparent, and for exterior use. It simply doesn't exist. I believe you're mistaken about what you're using. It's a deck stain, just call it that.

[@mellicious2700]

By the looks of it he doesn't answer any questions 😡!!! Soo does anyone else know if I can use rust-oleum semigloss clear coat to weatherproof my outdoor garden ornaments & wooden birdhouse?? TIA 😉