ADurableExteriorFinish-ClarkeCompany.pdfVIP

A Durable Exterior Finish Exterior Finish Epoxy sealer and marine varnish protect wood against the weather B Y S E A N C L A R K E n any piece of wood exposed to the elements, whether it is your front door or the patio furniture, a durable fin- O ish is of utmost importance. For maximum protection, I use a two-step process that greatly improves the resilience of my exterior finishes. It consists of a primer and a varnish topcoat used in the boat business, where they know all about protecting wood from the elements. The primer is a two-part resin epoxy that impregnates the wood, making it resistant to fungi and water dam- age. It also chemically bonds to the varnish, which has ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors to protect the wood and the primer. Prep the wood and apply the primer Sand all of the surfaces with P220-grit sandpaper, removing the dust with a vacuum, compressed air, or a tack cloth. If desired, brush, spray, or wipe on a pigment-based oil stain, but avoid dyes 42 F I N E W O O D W O R K I N G Photos: Mark Schofield S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5 43 because they will fade faster when used outdoors. Let the stain dry for 12 to 24 hours. Prime with the epoxy For several years, I’ve had great results using MultiWoodPrime (also called Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) made by Smith Com- The epoxy penetrates the wood, making it resistant to water pany. Originally developed to stabilize decaying outdoor wood damage and giving