I am making an outdoor bar that will be exposed to a good deal of rain, though not much sun. The top of the bar is a live edge slab of yellow cedar and has a crack running a decent portion of the length. I've stabilized the crack with a few butterflies and some aluminum bracket on the bottom. Now that I am ready to apply the finish (Man o War spar varnish) I am second guessing my choice to leave the crack open. Should I fill the crack with epoxy to prevent water from sitting in there? Will the varnish take as well? I am worried about the epoxy weathering poorly outside and not looking very good after a few years. Anyone out there have experience with anything similar?
Thanks!