I’m preparing some new wood windows for installation in my house i’m building and would like to keep the natural wood look. Whats the best exterior finish I can use? I’m familiar with the Helmsman spar polyurethane. Are there any other reccommendations?
Replies
Minwax makes a product called "Clear Shield" that has lots more UV protection than the spar varnish. I have used their product successfully on a wood storm door. There may be other products that are better so do a search on UV protection.
Eric S.
There are waterbornes that far outperform the "oil-based" clearcoats. One of the benefits of a waterborne is the drying time, which will allow you to get on multiple coats in one day.
One aspect of the waterbornes is that they dry clear, not with a yellow or amber cast, like Helmsman does. When you say "natural wood look," you may mean that amber look of varnished wood. You won't get that with a waterborne. You will get the truly natural wood look.
If you don't want the clear film look, want old yeller instead, but want something tougher than Helmsman, try a moisture-curing urethane. Woodworker's has one, but you can get something from Sherwin-Williams and others, too.
In waterbornes, there are other choices, but Woodworker's Supply sells one under the brand name J. E. Moser's. It is called "Marine Shield water based Spar Varnish." Fuhr has something as well.
Not cheap. But you didn't ask for cheap.