wood clear
 

What do you guys use/recommend to shiny clear coat (foam brush or spray) the oak top bows and tack strips? Minwax Urethane, Polyurethane (which one, there are several listed of each?) or what product? THANKS!

I have no experience in such matters of wood, except to cut, split, and burn it for winter heat.

Re: wood clear
 

I burn wood too, its a wonderful thing. Open car? closed car? Any wood I do in old cars I like to treat with a 50/50 mix of turpentine and linseed oil just for peace of mind, Ford did nothing on hidden closed car tops, now, open car tops and woody cars are another story.

Re: wood clear
 

Open car. Roadster. Polished stainless top irons. Polished stainless fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts. Nice Oak bows and tack strip.

I was wanting a very shiny, durable, high gloss look for the Oak bows.

I was told not to use a Polyurethane, but a Spar Urethane for "outdoor" use! A google search, and on Lowes website resulted in several different "kinds" of Spar Urethanes. Now the question is, which one of those Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethanes do I use?

A part # suggestion would be great.

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I used Z-Spar Captain gloss on my Dearborn 40 Woodie.

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Pettit Captain’s is pretty good, but Pettit Flagship is better. We switched over at out boat shop.

Re: wood clear
 

yeah; go nautical.

this is what "the boss" had the painters use on his oak thresholds:

https://www.epifanes.com/page/clear-finishes

would not surprise me if it was overkill, but it was the environment for it.*

*both application & boss

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...https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-aba1...894791.png?c=2

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When living in New Mexico, I coated a wooden-panel outside front door with five coats of an exterior polyurathane 20 years ago: i.e., one brushed coat, light sanding, wait a day for drying and to do the next brushed coat & light sanding. The sun hit the door quite directly when on the building. It needed protection, no doubt.

*prior to the first brushed coat, I had the door sandblasted.

Re: wood clear
 

A sandblasted wood door would provide excellent 'tooth' for holding the varnish. Probably not everyone's cup of tea. I use McCloskey's 'Man O War' old fashioned type varnish on my woodie wagon. It's the brand they carry at our hardware store and have used it for many years on boats. Since I am not after a piano finish, I don't sand any finer than 120 grit between coats (lotsa tooth).

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Thank you for contacting Minwax.

There are two versions, an oil-based and a water-based.

Main aesthetic difference is that the oil-based has a yellow or amber tone to it, or as marketing describes it as being "warm".

Water-based will be non-ambering.

Technical differences is that the oil-based cleans up with paint thinner, water-based with soap & water.

No difference in performance, although either version is considered a maintenance product, meaning that you should reapply a maintenance coat every year or as conditions warrant. The more sun exposure, the more frequent the reapplication.

Part # for oil-based (quart)
63200444

Part # for water-based (quart)
630500444

I hope this helps. Good luck with your car project!

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I also used Sikkens Cetol Marine finishes on various areas of my wood Lyman boat. Easy application and easy to touch up.

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Be careful. Most Cetol has pigment in it. It also takes about 2 days to dry. Epifanes does as well. It used to dry overnight, but they changed the formula a while ago.

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Another vote for Epifanes, been using it every year for 25 years. We do a lot of exterior doors with it as well. Probably the best varnish out there.

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THANK YOU ALL for your opinions and suggestions!

After talking with pettitpaint.com, it was suggested that I use the Old Salem Clear Sealer, then multiple coats of the Flagship High Build varnish on the Oak top bows and tack strip.

Thanks again.

Re: wood clear
 

Used Petits on my '50. Laid down beautifully with a good brush.

Re: wood clear