Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Finishing a Planter

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/26/2009


Question
Dear Greg,

I am hoping that you can help answer a question I have concerning exterior finishes.  I am building a set of planters for my deck that will act as containers for smaller pots.  They will receive standard 10" pots and are not to be filled with soil themselves.

With durability in mind, what would be the best way to finish these planters?  My intention is to prime them with a basic latex primer and then apply two coats of white exterior paint.  Will exterior paint hold up to the elements (I live in New Jersey, so weather is varied but usually not extreme)?  Will the paint yellow with exposure to UV rays?  Is it possible or recommended to apply a topcoat over the paint, such as a polyurethane or similar product?

Any advice you can offer will be appreciated.  I have spent quite a bit of time building these and I would hate to see them fall apart.

Thanks again for the help,
Joe

Answer
Hi Joe, I would suggest the best exterior primer you can get, as this is what holds the paint to the wood, and a high quality exterior enamel. A clear coat isn't necessary, and might even shorten the life of the paint. Whatever you do, it will eventually fail with the NJ weather, just like paint on a house...hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.