Donate SIGN UP

Sadolin or Yacht Varnish

Avatar Image
Lonnie | 15:29 Mon 20th Jun 2011 | DIY
6 Answers
I've just put a wooden swing seat with frame in my garden, I bought some clear Yacht Varnish but my neighbour says not to varnish, as it seals, and the wood can't breathe, but to use something like Sadolin.

My question is, is he right?..

Thanks.
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 6 of 6rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by Lonnie. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
-- answer removed --
Question Author
Thanks Trimeresurus, good of you to come back so quickly.
Stay away from varnish outside on timber these days.
Use spirit-based exterior wood treatment .. like Sadolin or Sikkens.
Question Author
Thanks AlBags, thats the advice I'mgetting, you and Trimeresurus, have confirmed it.

I'm grateful to you both.
I've never understood why you'd want wood to ''breathe''. I've always suspected that it's a marketing ploy - a false benefit -thought up by the manufacturers of acrylic paints, which are microporous after application and allow water vapour to penetrate. If you want wood to remain stable, you have to seal it completely. For example, the dimensions of a front door can increase by up to 1/4'' if sufficient water vapour is absorbed by the wood. Seal it completely and the moisture content, and the dimensions of the wood, will remain constant. My outdoor furniture has been coated with Ronseal outdoor varnish, which remains slightly flexible once dry. It has come through two severe winters plus full summer sun exposure and still looks like it was applied yesterday. I don't think that would have happened with a ''breathable'' paint.
Question Author
Hi heathfield, thanks for your answer, and admittedly I'm a little naive when it comes to wood, however, I've since found out that its been High Pressure treated, and I've been assured that that should last for at least ten years.

1 to 6 of 6rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Sadolin or Yacht Varnish

Answer Question >>

Related Questions

Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.