Best low-maintenance finish for outdoor bench

[John TenEyck]

Still waiting on small test sample bottles from One Time. It's been several weeks now, and when I called the company they said their postal meter was broken, so it hasn't been sent out. I really didn't know what to say to that. If only one could use a method of transportation to drive to a post office. Wondering how long it would take to get the finish itself if I am okay with the color.

Their tech support is losing the sale pretty quickly (or slowly in this case).

Reminds me of last week when I went to the post office to get some stamps. I was told they were out of stamps, and were having trouble getting in stamps. When I said, "But you're the Post Office", she just shrugged.

Welcome to the new and improved customer service at most companies. I see now that OneTime is no longer available on Amazon which is where I bought it. Hmmm.

A PO not having stamps is pretty amazing. The response you got isn't surprising, sadly.

John

[Alan Lightstone]

So the samples came yesterday from One Time. I put two colors on the test boards. Looks way too light and brown. Not a deep brown at all on the test pieces of white oak.

Clearly, the best looking samples were of the Dark Tung Oil with Mixol Dark Brown Oxide and Grey Oxide dye mixed in. Tempting to use that, and plan on yearly re-coating. Mold grown is concerning, though. Is this just a bad idea?

SWMBO says to just paint it dark brown or grey, but that concept makes me shutter. Why cover up all this nice wood.

[John TenEyck]

So the samples came yesterday from One Time. I put two colors on the test boards. Looks way too light and brown. Not a deep brown at all on the test pieces of white oak.

Clearly, the best looking samples were of the Dark Tung Oil with Mixol Dark Brown Oxide and Grey Oxide dye mixed in. Tempting to use that, and plan on yearly re-coating. Mold grown is concerning, though. Is this just a bad idea?

SWMBO says to just paint it dark brown or grey, but that concept makes me shutter. Why cover up all this nice wood.

Too bad the OneTime didn't work for you. At this point, I'd look at commercial deck stains. If none of them appeal to you then go ahead and try your home brewed approach. If it fails you can always paint it. You already have the go-ahead from the boss.

John

[Alan Lightstone]

Too bad the OneTime didn't work for you. At this point, I'd look at commercial deck stains. If none of them appeal to you then go ahead and try your home brewed approach. If it fails you can always paint it. You already have the go-ahead from the boss.

John

Are the commercial deck stains film-forming? If not, a real thought. But no way I'm dealing with refinishing a film-forming finish in the future.

[andy bessette]

...Why cover up all this nice wood.

To avoid a maintenance nightmare.

[John TenEyck]

Are the commercial deck stains film-forming? If not, a real thought. But no way I'm dealing with refinishing a film-forming finish in the future.

Some are not. You might consider this one from Cabot. I'm sure there are others. It solves your mold/mildew problem, too, or says it does.

https://www.cabotstain.com/en/produc...tem-5fb819b3a5

John

[Kent A Bathurst]

Some are not. You might consider this one from Cabot. I'm sure there are others. It solves your mold/mildew problem, too, or says it does.

https://www.cabotstain.com/en/produc...tem-5fb819b3a5

John

I've had success with Cabot exterior semi-transparent oil stain. Got it at Lowes - neutral base and custom tint. Repeat yearly or as needed. Maybe sand back or power wash.

I don't know what it looks like on WO. You can buy teensy sample cans, IIRC.

Oh - yeah, also - this class of product is NOT film-forming. You are correct - you want no part of a film product.

[andy bessette]

OP--you are probably aware that white oak, left bare, will weather to the very pale gray color you are after?

[John TenEyck]

OP--you are probably aware that white oak, left bare, will weather to the very pale gray color you are after?

If it doesn't mold, which is pretty common for white oak, and many other woods, left untreated where I live.

John

[andy bessette]

If it doesn't mold, which is pretty common for white oak, and many other woods, left untreated where I live.

John

If you never clean it, yes. But a little bleach should stop mold.

[John TenEyck]

If you never clean it, yes. But a little bleach should stop mold.

It can be a real pain to get rid of once mold gets into it. Genuine TSP and bleach and effort. Much better to do whatever you can to prevent the mold from starting.

John

[Mel Fulks]

The job of white oak is to last longer than you , and it’s easy work. Forget about how long it’s gonna last ,and just buy something.

[Alan Lightstone]

I'm going to be going in the Dark Tung Oil with Mixol Dark Brown Oxide dye and Grey Oxides mixed in. Really the only color combo that SWMBO liked. And I just can't bear to paint the bench.

Yearly reapplication won't be an issue. Just have to avoid the film finishes. Bummed about the One Time, but their darkest finish was still very light/warm brown. Won't work for SWMBO.

Concerned about mold. Have to watch out for that. I'm going to put some rubber legs hidden on the bottom to get the bottom off the cement floor. That should help a little.

Time will tell how that color morphs into grey. Hopefully with the Mixol and dark dyes it will morph into a dark grey brown. But who knows.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Zinsser - the B*I*N people - make and sell a mildewcide - ADD-2 - you can add to your mixture that will help stave off mold/mildew.
Nearly all exterior finishes have some sort of mildewcide added, which is one reason why you don't want to use exterior products inside.

[Jamie Buxton]

Zinsser - the B*I*N people - make and sell a mildewcide - ADD-2 - you can add to your mixture that will help stave off mold/mildew.
Nearly all exterior finishes have some sort of mildewcide added, which is one reason why you don't want to use exterior products inside.

Why would a mildewicide be a bad thing indoors?