Lacquer suitable for exterior garden furniture?

I have been asked to make a planter box using Kwila timber for outdoor use, and was thinking of using Cabots Exterior Clear marine grade polyurethane coating after I had bled the timber with Intergrain PowerPrep and Reviva.

As an alternative, I was wondering if lacquer would be suitable for this purpose, exposed to the extremes of weather and UV. If so, what sort of lacquer should I get for spraying it on? A matt or semi gloss finish would be best, I think.

Would appreciate any ideas and suggestions, not having used lacquer before. Happy enough to spray it.

I think that the best advice is to use a spar (marine) varnish like Epifanes (they do make it in satin finish). It is pricey and makes a film and needs to be sanded back and refinished every couple of years, but it's what the yatchies use, so it is as close as we can get to bulletproof, exterior clear finish.

With any external coating, the big question is its maintenance regime. If you are intending to use a synthetic varnish of some sort, then check that once it wears/breaks down with the sun that it does not require re sanding (which many do). The sun breaks down the softeners in the product and cracks the coat allowing water/moisture to go underneath the coat causing the timber to go grey.
Also, timber needs to move somewhat, does the coating allow it? If not there would be some sort of cracking, depending off course how the box is built and how big it is. Importantly, consider the run off of water into or onto the vegetable bed. I’d hate to think I am trying to grow veggies to eliminate sprays from commercially grown vegetable only to be watering them with runoff from a crude oil product.

If though you were to consider an oil, I would recommend the Livos Alis #579, this is an all natural, plant based product that is designed to be used outside, it is suitable for direct contact with rain , sun etc. While it is fast becoming a popular choice for protecting decks, however all external timber surfaces can use the product. It is based on natural raw materials and is safe to use in close proximity to any plants or grass. Being penetrating oil, it nourishes the timber and is vapour permeable. Yes, it will naturally break down but the rejuvenation is simply apply another coat, no peeling, no cracking and certainly no sanding back. A clear finish is not available in a truly natural finish as without pigment the Uv breaks down the coatings too quickly. Kwila has a range of colours and if it was more on the brownier side, I would recommend the oak stain however if more pinkie/red then the teak stain will highlight the colour.

If you had the time, you may consider doing some testing with the two types of products and see which one actually looks more natural, especially since it is going to be in someone’s garden.

one thing that MUST be remembered ..... there IS NO clear finish that is long term UV stable ...... none, not one, does not exist ...... the problem is that if it is clear, light both UV and visible can penetrate all the way to the timber ...... give it 2, 3, 5 maybe a little more if you realy spend and it will start to break down.

You will be far better of with something like decking oil, particulary on kwila ....... this can be scrubbed or pressure cleaned and easily recoated without the need to remove all of the spent coating.

cheer

I'm with Soundman..!!..

Regards,

Rob

Quote:

there IS NO clear finish that is long term UV stable ...... none, not one, does not exist ......

Thanks soundman, I was not aware of this, info much appreciated

I'm about to have a crack at an outdoor bench seat with Deks Olje. Reviews for it are generally good, it's a marine-focussed oil product, which can be had in a matt or (with a second product) be made gloss.

Yearly maintenance for best results, but my understanding is that unless you go gloss, you just clean and re-coat once it starts to look at bit weathered.

The gloss finish may require a quick wet sand with #600 sandpaper before recoating.