Should I apply a lacquer, varnish, or polyurethane over my water-based stained swing set?
Bizerte I have swingset made of redwood, cedar, and hawthorne lumber. I sanded it down then applied 6 coats of UV Flood semi-transparent stain (water based). Should I apply varnish, lacquer, or polyurethane to further protect it?
Technorati Tags: coats, flood, hawthorne, lacquer, polyurethane, semi transparent stain, varnish
4 Responses
Linda
10 Sep 2011
New Day
10 Sep 2011
You don’t use lacquer outdoors, varnish is OK but polyurethane’s better.
ibdastevie
10 Sep 2011
No clear coat will adhere or wear well over your water base coating. Just re-coat the same stain you used once a year. Next year, before you re-coat, brush on a good water base preservative (such as Termin-8) to the end grain and parts that touch the soil. When it is dry, re-coat the stain. (Don’t use the termin-8 where kids may put their hands.)
Casey
10 Sep 2011
I’d treat like it were a deck and maybe put a water sealer on it, but that may not even absorb due to the six coats of stain. Thompson’s website suggest performing the splash test by sprinkling water on various surfaces to be treated. If it absorbs into the surface and changes its’ color then it needs to be protected, but if it just beads up, then there is no need. A spar varnish like what boat builders use would be the best choice of the three you mentioned, but due to the amount of wear and tear a play set gets, it may be more work and expense than it’s worth. Lacquer isn’t meant for outdoor use and polyurethane only slightly better. Unless you live in an area prone to severe weather conditions, I think the stain is more than enough protection for the wood. As you surely know, Redwood and Cedar are both naturally rot resistant, though untreated are prone to turning grey with age. What you’ve done already should preserve the natural color and structure quite well.
Polyurethane is your best bet to protect.