Replies

1. 
   DDay | Dec 29, 2005 05:37am | #1

   I think you meant to say "ironwood".

   Do a search for old threads.  Their are two finishes that most use, messemer's (http://www.messmers.com) and penofin (http://www.penofin.com).  Both are a penetrating old that you apply and it soak in and protects the wood and retains the color.  Both also have UV inhibitors.  Check the sites and old threads and that should answer all your questions.  I use the penofin and they have excellent service if you have questions.  I like to keep the finish completely natural, so I use the Marine oil finish, the hardwood formula will darken the ipe some.

    

1. 
   Lansdown | Jan 07, 2006 04:01am | #8

   DDay,Just did a deck last summer, not Ipe, but a fairly good quality Malaysian mahogany. I coated both sides with Penofin (gold label)before installing (Anchor sealed all end grains), and then another coat a few months later. The color is great (you can see a pick on the recent cable rail thread). Originally I thought I would let it silver, but now I'm thinking I would like to maintain the color for awhile. My question is can I get away with recoating every 2 years, or should I do it annually.

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 07, 2006 04:16am | #9

   For your climate, I'd plan annually. Those Pacific 'mahoganies' are more porous so they take stain better, but they also take water better too.But being lighter in weight, they are better it you have to haul it up in the air three stories to a balcony or widows walk 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   Lansdown | Jan 07, 2006 04:21am | #10

   I'm assuming you realize that my climate is similar to yours.
   What's nice about the penofin is that the water beads up on top like a newly waxed car. And to my DW's amusement I squeege off the deck religiously.lol

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 07, 2006 04:52am | #11

   Is the amusement based on anticipation that you wil;l soon squeegee her?;) 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   DDay | Jan 07, 2006 04:55am | #12

   To me, you can tell when it needs to be applied again.  The first application will get soaked in pretty well and will definitely need to be applied the next year.  After that, I think it will depend on exposure to sun and other elements.  Basically, where it is a penetrating oil, it will soak in more each time and they say that the re-application rate will be extended. 

   You'll be able to tell though.  I think penofin's website (or some marketing info) had the application schedule as first time, then 6 months later, then 1 year, then 3 years, etc.  Always error on the conservative side though, if it does gray some then you'll be pressure washing, etc., its much easier to just be conservative.

   Also, I used ipe.  Where piffin is familiar with mahogany more than I, I would think you would be reapplying somewhat more frequently.  It would only be to the top surface, so your not talking about a lot of time or effort.

   Edited 1/6/2006 8:57 pm ET by DDay

2. 
   Wango1 | Dec 29, 2005 07:25am | #2

   I'm in the same boat. Everything will silver when left outside unprotected. I have tried Behr's NWF and lasted a year, but it was a topical coating. Ipe is too dense to let a finish penetrate, so next year I will try the Penofin. It's an oil that is designed to soak in. I'll let you know in the spring...

3. 
   Advocate | Dec 29, 2005 07:31am | #3

   Check out this thread;

    

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages/?msg=67550.25

4. 
   plumbbill | Dec 29, 2005 08:53am | #4

   Now that's interesting cause ipe & bullet wood are actually two different woods.

   Bullet wood is sold alot as bolivian cherry.

   & holy flippin crap is that stuff hard my border on my hickory floors are made out of it & when I was using some of the left over for wood projects I never sneezed so much in my life.

   It is redder than IPE.

   Anyways there both very dense & tough to get oil into them I have found penofin to be the best for outdorr woods.

5. 
   JasonF | Jan 06, 2006 05:26pm | #5

   Kentm,

   My choice was messmers for my Ipe deck and gazebo.

   Take a look for yourself: it sticks! Ipe is absolutely gorgeous applied with an oil finish!

   My Ipe Deck and Gazebo

   Jason

1. 
   Huck | Jan 07, 2006 04:58am | #13

   Wow!  Beautiful work!

6. 
   gdcarpenter | Jan 06, 2006 05:41pm | #6

   Theres an entire article on IPE in the latest issue of Coastal Contractor,. It redcommends a 'penetrating oil, such as Waterlox . . . or Deks Olje.'

   It goes on to say 'Any penetrating oil will have to be reapplied about every two years tomaintian the original woood tone.'.

   Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

1. 
   JasonF | Jan 07, 2006 03:51am | #7

   Agreed. I never said one-time application. Messmers states every two years as well.