Off Topic - any of you guys work with WOOD?
 

Our deck is getting splintery and old. My wife LOVES the look on some interior furniture pieces that let you see a deep shine but it's clear enough to see the wood underneath. Not stained or dark, too hot. But that clear new dining room table look.

So my question is this - what's the stuff they put on the wood to make it look like that? Can I use it on my deck once I sand it off and make it smooth again?

Re: Off Topic - any of you guys work with WOOD?
 

Interior finishes won’t hold up to the weather, but I think you are referring to varnish or polyurethane. A marine quality varnish would hold up. Be careful not to get too smooth or you will have a slippery deck. I just started a tool shed last week, and used a stain/sealer in cedar tone. I put an extra coat in the middle for traffic, and wound up with a stripe (a single coat is what they ask).

Re: Off Topic - any of you guys work with WOOD?
 

Haha, I did that on my new fence too! I had a spot that I thought needed more protetion (the doors) and so I painted it twice. Now they're dark and the rest of the fence is lighter. I'm going to skip staining it this year and just do the fence and see if it evens out.

So I priced marine varnish and that stuff is expensive. Is that normal? I can get a 5 gallon can of Behr stain for about 120 bucks, but that varnish stuff is about 50.00 a gallon. :ahhhh:

Re: Off Topic - any of you guys work with WOOD?
 

Zoro has rustoleum spar varnish for about 14$ a gallon.

Re: Off Topic - any of you guys work with WOOD?
 

Thanks Rusty! Now that's more my speed, haha!