Thread: Mango Outdoor Setting needs some TLC

I'll leave it to others to offer advice Titch, but it all adds to the character of the piece. Don't be afraid of patina.

I once saw a 350 year old Oak table in an Antique store, and it had a big divot out of the middle. Looked to me like it was dug out with a dagger in the pirate days of England (it's origin). It may not have been, but you get my drift - all the fantasies and images that such wounds can provoke, adding to the character and history of the piece.

Ok here's my take on this.

It's obviously sentimental to your wife.

It is going to be under cover and is it going to be used for those family gatherings i.e. high use.

Do you want to keep the patina?

Do you know what the original coating was?

If it's for high use and you want to keep the patina, a light sand to smooth it down and to remove any flaking coating.
Then a good (preferably) marine varnish if it is compatible with the original finish.

If you don't wish to keep the patina then sand down to bare timber where applicable and then the marine varnish.

Guys,
We are happy with how it looks we just want to preserve it, If a light sand to clean it up and even out the damaged areas followed by a few coats of marine varnish (any suggestions on type/brand ???) is all that is needed then I think I may attempt it myself, I have noticed that water gets into the joints, any suggestions on how I would seal the joints before I varnish.

Thanks

James

James,

It looks like the bench seats are screwed and bolted together.

I may be possible to take them apart to do the sanding and varnishing.

This way water should not be a problem in the joints.

As to which varnish....any of the manufactures should be ok (water based varnishes should be avoided).

Someone else might come along and give some hints as all the surfaces that I varnish are in the workshop and I use Wattyl Marine Varnish.