Outdoor Wood Finish? / What You Need to Know! 

Dude that was some of the most clear, straight to the point, and excellent REAL LIFE advice. Thank you!

Thanks. I’ve been working with wood for 6-years, and this is the first time I’ve gotten a great and concise answer on this question. Love the round over and drip ledge suggestions!

Jon, Thanks for the update and the great information on how to do and how to maintain outdoor furniture! I might try it! Thanks again.

Your updates are always appreciated!!!!

Those table tops are DOPE!! Pretty sure I've commented that before. Looks like the Total Boat is a clear winner for protecting outdoor wood furniture. Hoping all is well Jon, Dirty Jersey out again!!

Great updates, the round over seems to be the big game changer with the spar varnish. Great tips!

That is good information to know. The drip edge I have seen you use before, but the rounded over edge to hold more layers of finish makes so much since. Thank you for that Mr. Jon

So timely, I was exploring trying to find a finish for some outdoor furniture I’m building. Thanks for the info.

'Round over the edge' . . . its like Ray Stanz, in Ghosbusters, when he realises the simplicity of Egon's plan. Of course!

Nice update Jon & those tables look great!

Such valuable information. Thanks, John!

Oh hey, Great timing! I was just wondering about this while planning an outdoor set.

Nice work, very informative and right to the point. You are the man.

Great info to know! Thanks so much for the update!!!

Great to see stuff like this. I'm in NY so similar weather. Made an outdoor table with cedar and used boiled linseed oil (as well as a planter box) and had a lattice fence I put some of the BLO on too. The tops turned black with mildew within months and look like shit. The lattice fence I put half BLO and half raw, and the raw part looks nicer (a silver gray like Cedar will do). I have a 2nd table that I didn't finish (same as the first one but I never put it together) and I think I will leave it raw. The slat design would be a pain in the ass for finishing, and if the top fails I think I will go the solid top route like you have here and give total boat a try (would probably just spray pain the legs black at that point, they are made of 4x4 and 2x6 so they will probably last a long time).

Thanks for the updated!!! Looks awesome!

Those tables are beautiful~!! I really love the Sapele & Red Grandis. I'm going to see where I can source some of that here in the South (GA/SC). Thanks for the update, Jon~!

Good idea...the drip edge under the table top. I'll use that. Thanks!

Thank you for this video. I'm preparing some bench tops out of walnut slabs and looking to finish them with the expectation, the finish will need annual maintenance. Reside in Southern Ohio, where winters are a mixed bag of snow and slush.

Great info Jon. Thank you!

Thanks for the long-term testing.

Love this! Thank you!

Useful information. Thanks!

Great overview, Jon. This echos the experience of boaters. Oil? It's a non-starter. The only rational for using it on exterior wood is it's easy...and only briefly, before it becomes a 'project' again. Your experience is in New Jersey but imagine a marine environment (where e.g. I believe your Mom lives). Sun hits something twice, once coming down and then rebounding off the water's surface for hit #2. 6 month varnish skeds in Florida are pretty much routine. Gotta love wood!

Well done.. as usual

who knew? Great advice thanks!

I live in coastal South Carolina. Snow is no match for low country sun. My best effort goes bad over a single summer. That’s with penetrating epoxy as a primer and five coats of Epifanes as a top coat.

Great info my fellow New Jerseyan. I love how all the projects are still looking new. Have you or will you ever try the newer waterbase clear from Totalboat. The name of the product escapes me at the moment.

Saludos al algoritmo, siempre una inspiración

Great video and information! Which specific router bit did you use to place the drip edge on your table top?

Great update Jon! Thanks for doing this! I have a chair I need to refinish soon and I will apply what I’ve learned here to do that 😊

Thanks, some great tips for sure. How well will this work on white oak in the hot Calif sun and rain? Will it still last a couple years? Will it still turn gray? And lastly, when it wears will it be flaking/peeling or just worn?

I wonder have you tried Australian timber oil and if so what are your thoughts on that. Great looking tables by the way!

Jon: I saw you apply Total Boat, in this review video, using a napped roller. That surprised me. Perhaps that was just one of the 3-4 "base coats', after which you sanded them smooth. I'd like to know, in your experience, when it is acceptable to roll that finish. I'd expect the last 3 coats would be best applied with a foam brush. Love your videos, knowledge, and tips.

Beautiful work. I tried using a glued up pine for an outdoor table and it failed tremendously. My finish is good but to much moisture in the wood.

Jon-what’s the wood in that last table top? Thanks!

Make it and forget it definitely does not work! Maintaining the furniture is part of the package and feet off the table please...I know what you mean! Do you think furniture made of pine would hold up well, if properly maintained, outdoors?

Any places for lumber in northern New Jersey.

Dang! I’m going to put this on my roof. 😂😂

What about an epoxy finish?

Do you have to coat the bottom? Or is it ok to leave it natural?

How about your mom's table ?

first!

Do you have any recommendations for good hardwood lumberyards in New Jersey? I’m from Plainfield nj a beginner woodworker, I follow you on Instagram and also RU-vid.

Thank you it’s because it people like you that I started my company thank you for sharing your knowledge….the pleasure I get from making tables is powerful and priceless 🫶🏾