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Expert: - 4/21/2009


Question
I'm building some outdoor patio furniture from cedar, and want to know the best way to preserve it. Can I use tung oil or spray on Spar? I won't be in direct sunlight.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Mike
Nice to hear from you.
Coming from a long line of outdoor wood furniture makers I have learned that whatever we apply to outdoor furniture will have to be re-done every second year at least.
So with this in mind, we always want to apply something that can just be recoated with no surface prep other than being clean.
Recoating spar varnish will require surface prep of sanding.
While tung oil will not need surface prep It will only stand up for a season.
My choice is a water sealer like Thompsons or such like it especially over lovely cedar.
Regards
Eileen  

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Eileen Cronk

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Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

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I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

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