I’m making a gate/door of sorts leading to our backyard here in the Pacific Northwest. I’m using Alaska Yellow Cedar and plan to use a UV stain (Mesmers) to keep it from graying, and least prematurely. But I am wondering … should I go a step further and apply a spar varnish over that? What are the considerations besides price and time – I already have the spar varnish and the stay at home orders are giving me the time. Thanks.
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When the UV light finally breaks down the lignin, in 3-5 years or so, the spar will fail and you will have to sand it all off to refinish it evenly. Straight UV blocking penetrating oil is best in my opinion, since it can just be cleaned up and reapplied. And when it fails you just have greyed wood, which isn't a bad look if you don't feel like continually keeping it up.
Do not use spar varnish unless you plan to re-apply yearly and then strip it all of when it fails. It looks beautiful but its a whole lot of work.
Besides you used cedar which is naturally resistant to rot and it will grey out with a rustic patina. Learn to love the grey and dont try keep it looking new.
Yeah, it's out in the weather all finishes ultimately fail. Previous comments are right on.
I have 40 old year exposed wood around my place that's good for many more years.
An outside gate is exposed to the weather but not the soil, plus it can dry.
Thanks for the good feedback. I’ll save the spar varnish for another day and look forward to growing gray over the years.