Hi all,

A smart guy over at rec.woodworking thought you might be able to help me.

I'm planning to build a sofa, chair and coffee table out of either teak or
Honduran mahogany (if someone has another good suggestion, I'm open.) I
don't want the wood to weather to grey but rather maintain its natural
color. I realize yearly maintenance will be required. I was thinking
exterior grade polyurethane. Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how
to proceed?

One reply suggested that this wasn't going to happen, but another said he's
seen many boats with great finishes.

Thanks in advance

San Diego Joe

San Diego Joe wrote:
Hi all,

A smart guy over at rec.woodworking thought you might be able to help me.

I'm planning to build a sofa, chair and coffee table out of either teak or
Honduran mahogany (if someone has another good suggestion, I'm open.) I
don't want the wood to weather to grey but rather maintain its natural
color. I realize yearly maintenance will be required. I was thinking
exterior grade polyurethane. Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how
to proceed?

One reply suggested that this wasn't going to happen, but another said he's
seen many boats with great finishes.

Thanks in advance

San Diego Joe


If these articles are going to be inside, with limited exposure to UV,
then less than yearly maintenance will be required. Boat interiors
are commonly teak and mahogany and they seldom require varnishing
every year!

If these are for outside, then yes, a yearly coat or 5 of good varnish
will be fine.

Evan Gatehouse

"Evan Gatehouse" wrote:

San Diego Joe wrote:
Hi all,

A smart guy over at rec.woodworking thought you might be able to help me.

I'm planning to build a sofa, chair and coffee table out of either teak or
Honduran mahogany (if someone has another good suggestion, I'm open.) I
don't want the wood to weather to grey but rather maintain its natural
color. I realize yearly maintenance will be required. I was thinking
exterior grade polyurethane. Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how
to proceed?

One reply suggested that this wasn't going to happen, but another said he's
seen many boats with great finishes.

Thanks in advance

San Diego Joe


If these articles are going to be inside, with limited exposure to UV,
then less than yearly maintenance will be required. Boat interiors
are commonly teak and mahogany and they seldom require varnishing
every year!

If these are for outside, then yes, a yearly coat or 5 of good varnish
will be fine.

Evan Gatehouse

Thanks Evan,

Will spar varnish be adequate and do I need a stain under it?


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.

"San Diego Joe" wrote in message
news:1109869361.51b2c4ab995b76779d3f9f92114ef81f@t eranews...
Thanks Evan,

Will spar varnish be adequate and do I need a stain under it?



Depends on the wood. If you are using mahogany, it is best to use a filler
first to get the pores filled. If it is teak just sand between every couple
of coats. If this indoor furniture, I recommend Interlux Goldspar
polyurethane. It is a high solids light gold that builds up fast with short
times between coats. I have tried several of the high end non-marine spar
varnishes and Goldspar is head and sholders better looking and easier to
apply. It does not have any UV screen in it so it is not for outdoor use.

If it is outdoors, all bets are off. Stay away from mahogany because it
will turn black under any cracks in the finish and require complete
stripping and refinishing. Teak would be better either left unfinished or
with a seasonal application of teak oil. There are a number of multi-
season propriatary teak "varnish" finishes each with its strengths and
weaknesses but that debate could go on for days.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com