Finishes | Blood, Sweat, and Sawdust

November 21, 2017

Finishing the Farmhouse Table

I love working on big projects like the farmhouse table. However, my shop is small and the table is large. It takes up a lot of space, and I am unable to work on anything else. So, I was anxious to finish the farmhouse table and deliver it to the customer.

The customer wanted a white base. So, the base received three coats of white paint. Due to all of the nooks and crannies, I found that a paint brush was the easiest way to apply the paint. Unfortunately, this was quite time consuming, but it got the job done.

A dining room table not only needs to be attractive. It also needs a durable finish. Consequently, I applied three coats of poly-urethane. I used a simple wipe-on poly, that could not have been easier to apply. Each coat only took a matter of minutes to apply. If only I didn’t have to wait 2-3 hours between coats.

With the finish applied, I delivered the table and bench to the customer. I kept the table top and table base separate. This allowed us to move it through the front door quite easily. Once in the customer’s dining room, I assembled the table and took a few pictures. I think it turned out great and the customer was very happy.

I really enjoyed this project, but I’m glad to have my shop back.

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February 11, 2015

An Exterior Wood Finish That Lasts

Adirondack Chairs with Epifanes Marine Varnish

About a year ago, I built a pair of Adirondack chairs for a client. I had already built a similar pair of chairs before, but the client wanted a nice exterior finish. I wanted to ensure that they got what they were looking for with as little maintenance as possible. The sun can be harsh.

I scoured the Internet. I reviewed what seemed like hundreds of options. However, I kept running across a particular marine varnish. Enter Epifanes.

The high gloss finish might not be for everyone, but the promises of longevity were there. Thinned down a bit, it was easy enough to apply. Most importantly, the clients seemed happy with the appearance. Yet, concerns of maintenance troubled me.

While visiting family over the weekend, I had the opportunity to check up on the chairs and see how they were holding up. The chairs sit on a porch that recieves a lot of direct sunlight. I was a little worried of what I might find. Fortunately, the finish is holding up great. Despite a year of direct sunlight, the varnish still looks fresh. Not even a hint of hazing.

If you don’t mind the high gloss look, I would highly recommend Epifanes marine varnish.

February 11, 2015

Epifanes Marine Varnish: An Exterior Wood Finish That Lasts

Epifanes Marine Varnish: An Exterior Finish that Lasts

Epifanes: An Exterior Finish that Lasts

I scoured the Internet. I reviewed what seemed like hundreds of options. However, I kept running across a particular marine varnish. Enter Epifanes.

If you don’t mind the high gloss look, I would highly recommend Epifanes marine varnish.

June 4, 2014

Exterior Finishes

I’m always reluctant to finish exterior projects that go out to customers. The reason being that nothing lasts for ever in the harsh light of the sun. The amount of maintenance required is often far greater than the customer is willing to endure. Even the best marine varnishes might only last a year or two in direct sunlight.

In light of that, a recent customer requested that I finish a pair of Adirondack chairs. I did my homework and determined that Epifanes Marine Varnish was my best bet. Although expensive, It was easy to apply and includes some of the best UV inhibitors on the market. The results were excellent. The chairs look great and the customer was happy. Only time will tell how long the finish holds up. Fortunately for the customer, the chairs are mostly shaded throughout the day. Here are the results:

I thinned the finish with normal mineral spirits, and thinned per the directions. I got better results with a foam brush, due to the thick nature of the finish. I ended up applying about 7 coats, lightly sanding between each.

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Category: Finishes