Larry Ciesla Woodworking

outdoor rocking chair Finishing schedule


This chair was finished with seven coats of Epifanes High Gloss Clear Varnish.  This is a traditional marine varnish based on tung-oil, alkyd resins, and a high quality UV inhibiter.  I chose this product because of the excellent review it received in Fine Woodworking Magazine #205 "Torture Test for Outdoor Finishes."

Finishing Schedule:


  1. The entire chair was sanded to 180 grit and carefully vaccumed to remove any dust.
  2. The first coat of Epifanes was thinned 50% with mineral spirits.  The idea is to have the first coat penetrate the wood deeply so thinning is considered absolutely essential.
  3. After 24 hours, I lightly sanded the chair with 320 grit wet/dry sandpaper.  The second coat was thinned with about 15% mineral spirits.
  4. After 24 hours, I lightly sanded the chair with 320 grit sandpaper and applied a third coat thinned about 5%.
  5. After 24 hours, I lightly sanded the chair with 320 grit sandpaper and applied the fourth coat full strength.
  6. The fifth, sixth, and seventh coats were applied full strength and sanded lightly between coats.