Finishing for external name signs

[Farm Labourer]

I'm in a quandry - do I finish a sign for the neighbour's house in an oil based finish or do I varnish it? Kiln-dried hardwood.

All suggestions gratefully received. TY.

 

[AndyT]

Any oil or varnish finish used outdoors is going to need to be re-done every few years to keep it looking good.

An alternative for things like name signs is to use a naturally durable wood and allow it to age gracefully.

This old thread shows what I mean.

post1252667.html#p1252667

 

[Mrs C]

There is a thread somewhere (sorry can’t find it) where someone coated several bits of the same material and left them outside for a few years. I think Sikkens was the winner.

My neighbour, who knows everything, kindly told me I should have used Sikkens for my external Oak doors just after I had finished putting Osmo UV on. The Osmo lasted 3 years before I redid it and I should really have done them after 2.

 

[AndyT]

There is a thread somewhere (sorry can’t find it) where someone coated several bits of the same material and left them outside for a few years. I think Sikkens was the winner.

Good thought! This is the thread

external-iroko-osmo-uv-oil-or-sikkens-cetolfilter-7-plus-t59500.html

 

[Chris152]

Yacht varnish should be good?

 

[AndyT]

Yacht varnish should be good?

Yes, but only if it's renewed every two or three years. Rounding over all the edges will help a lot, varnish and other finishes often fail on a square edge.

 

[Farm Labourer]

This is (as always) all very helpful. Any recommendations for specific oils?