Spar Varnish Update
We keep jumping from project to project, and my latest one is to finish finishing the doors. The back door is installed and the front door just got one last coat of matte spar varnish.
I am very happy with how they are turning out and I hope the finish lasts for years. I was happy when I was reading the newest Fine Woodworking this weekend to find an article on finishing outdoor furniture (and doors). I used the same spar varnish they recommended, but I didn’t use an epoxy sealer first. I was worried that the matte spar varnish would still end up shiny, but it didn’t. I followed the directions on the can and thinned the first coat 50%, the second 25% and subsequent coats about 5-15% . The final coat I used the Epifanes matte varnish barely thinned and it looks great. Here’s a picture of the front door that is still drying & it really isn’t shiny.
The front and back door are complete, next will be the French doors. I bought badger type brushes and they have worked well. I tried one coat with a foam brush (they also have an article about foam brushes in this month’s Fine Woodworking, but I hadn’t read it yet). I did not like the feel of the foam brush as much as the regular brush. I think I just got really used to how the brush worked and how much varnish to put in it. Cleaning the brushes is a bit of a pain, but they’re holding up well, so it’s worth the investment! Anyone out there really like foam brushes? Reading the article did make them sound easier, but I’m just not sure about using it and then throwing it away, even if it only cost a dollar…
8 Comments
deb·August 16, 2005
i think foam brushes can be great for certain applications/techniques… like if you don’t want to see any brush strokes or bristle marks when faux finishing- they’re superb for that. i must admit though, i’ve only used them a handfull of times and each time i did toss them in the trash after, mainly because they were falling apart when i tried to wash them… being an painter by nature i tend to lean toward the real brushes… you’ve only got to remember to not leave them standing in water/thinner
Greg·August 16, 2005
I use foam brushes for small jobs where clean-up would require more work than the actual job. For something like a small application of oil based paint or primer, or shellacking a small item.
Greg·August 16, 2005
I use foam brushes for small jobs where clean-up would require more work than the actual job. For something like a small application of oil based paint or primer, or shellacking a small item.
The door looks great, by the way.
Aaron·August 16, 2005
Wow-love those doors! I just found a beautiful door at the salvage yard that needs to be stripped of it’s black paint…could I send it to you and you send it back looking like your doors? You can even use foam brushes if you want. :)
Trissa·August 17, 2005
Aaron- I’d love to refinish your door, but I’ve got a set of french doors, 3 interior doors and a mantel that are in line ahead of your black door. Just find some good music and start stripping that paint away!
Ron·August 17, 2005
The door looks great. Where(what manufacturer) did you get that door. We need to order a new back door very soon, and have been looking at Simpson doors. I would like to look at some other companies also.
We seem to be a couple of months behind you guys in many of the same projects.(especially posting).
Nick·August 17, 2005
Ron -
Our doors were custom made by a company in Seattle called Frank Lumber, aka. “The Door Store”. They also carried Simpson doors, which were similar in quality and materials.
Kristin·August 18, 2005
Ooooooh, pretty!