Easiest finish for outdoor work?

I prefer spar urethane for outdoor use. It is extremely water-resistant. You might not want a varnish for Adirondack stuff though. For that I would probably use a deck stain. Or boiled linseed oil.

-- Logan

Simplest finish is probably something like Thompson’s Water Seal. Brush on, wipe off, done. But it has to be reapplied periodically.

Any outdoor varnish would work too. Spar varnish/exterior varnish are the same thing.

Spar or marine varnish does not last. That’s why wooden boat owners scrape/sand/varnish every season. Simplest would be a transparent stain, Thompsons, or something that does not build up a film. Solid stain and paint or clear varnish will flake and peel requiring the most work to refresh. Using something Like Thompsons once or twice a season. will be the easiest to deal with in the long run.

Birdhouses should be painted or stained natural colors and don’t need much touch up. I put asphalt shingle scrap on the roof. Perches on the front of the house are also unnecessary and just invites predators. Put the front on with a couple of drywall screws so you can clean them out at the end of the year.

Thanks for the reply fellers.

-- Deep rooted Southern Boy and set in my ways!

I’ve had good luck with ‘Sikkens Cetol 1’ on hot tub and outdoor furniture, I believe it was formulated to be used as deck stain, under no circumstances should it be used indoors.

The easiest is just a good oil based paint or even latex.

-- Brad, Texas, https://www.youtube.com/user/tonkatoytruck/feed