"Spray-able" coating for outdoor furniture

[Hoosierpopi]

Well, the cheap woode chairs from Big Lots lost their sheen quicker than a Summer shower.

Lowes sells but one clear coating for "outdoor" use. A reading of the can would indicate it cannot be thinned for spraying (I only have a Binks gun from my days painting cars).

I was thinking that an automotive clear coat o laquer might do the trick. However, knowing that stuf is intended for coating painted surfaces rather than wood brought me here before plunking down good money for expensive automotive finishes that might not do the intended (protect the wood) job.

Anyone have a (serious) suggestion for a coating I might want to consider (using my existing Binks gun) that would allow this wood to survive yet another season?

[Puckdropper]

Hoosierpopi wrote in news: [e-mail]:

*snip*

How about some kind of oil, like Vegetable Oil? My mother uses it on decks.

Puckdropper

[B A R R Y]

Olympic Maximum is sprayable right from the can.

[GROVER]

I've been using a Binks # 7 for spraying wood for eons. I have found a number of coating materials are labled "Do Not Thin". I occasionally thin and spray anyway, with acceptable results. You can experiment with a small sample to get an idea of the results. Joe G

[Mike Marlow]

I too have thinned a lot of coatings that say "Do Not Thin" with problem-free results. I suspect the advisory is more to address potential running problems if thinned and applied in other manners than a spray finish, than anything else. Thin away - experiment and find a good mix. You know that Model 7 will shoot anything you can throw at it.

[B A R R Y]

A technical rep for a famous purveyor of pro finishing products starting with "M", and ending with "k", told me "Do Not Thin" was entirely related to VOC regulations. He then went on explaining why we should ignore the instruction.

[Hoosierpopi]

This would seem to make sense since the one product suggested by the nice ladies at Lowes also cam in a hand held spray can!

Thanks for the feedback on thinning.

Any other suggested finishes? Lacquer for outside?

"Do Not Thin" was to VOC regulations. ... ignore the instruction.

[Mike Marlow]

I could but that.

[GARY WALKER]

Use SPAR Varithane (maybe its Urethane/polyurethane...not sure of the exact name). It has UV protection and is advertised for exterior wood doors. It is a clear finish (you could add some oil based stain if you wanted. Thin it a little to use it in your spray gun. It also is available in spray cans. I believe its a minWax product.

[J T]

Thu, Oct 4, 2007, 10:29am (EDT+4) [e-mail] (Puckdropper) doth sayeth: Vegetable Oil? My mother uses it on decks.

Pam? Decks, plural? She runs around the neighborhood oiling all the decks? LOL

I've been experimenting with vegetable (sooking) oil for years. Check the archives if y ou n't believe it. Works well inside. The only outdoor use I've tried is a wood rake handle. Didn't spray, but rubbed cooking oil on whenever I thought of it - not so often. The handle definitely withstood the elements MUCH better, and longer, than unoiled. When I read this, realized I haven't seen that rake for quite awhile, so I suppose that means one of the sons "borrowed" it. Sot i's either gone entirely, or laying on the ground out of view. Ah well.

JOAT "I'm an Igor, thur. We don't athk quethtionth." "Really? Why not?" "I don't know, thur. I didn't athk."