My wife just finished sanding and restaining an outdoor table - some kind of reddish tropical hardwood, not teak, but similar (it turns grey without finish)

It will sit outside all summer, goes in the shed for winter.

I’m thinking an outdoor polyurethane. Last time I bought some, it was called “spar grade polyurethane”

Any better suggestions?

Thanks

Is the stain she used oil based? I hope so. More options, and less maintenance outdoors with spar urethanes, or something like a pure Tung oil. Or even the "tung oil finish."

Boiled Linseed Oil - mineral spirits mixture.
This is used extensively on teak and similar.
I've coated teak outdoor furniture with this many times.
Poly is so permanent and not repairable.

You might look at Helmsman Clear Gloss Oil based Spar Urethane. I've had good luck with it.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Boiled Linseed Oil - mineral spirits mixture.
This is used extensively on teak and similar.
I've coated teak outdoor furniture with this many times.
Poly is so permanent and not repairable.

BLO, Tung, or other oil, or the related "finishes" available, are going to be less work than a spar urethane or other poly type finish. To both apply and maintain.

Incidentally, many exterior clear urethanes use Tung oil as their UV stabilizer.

If she used a water based stain, you'll be stuck with a water based topcoat.

Awlwood made by awlgrip. We use it in the marine industry and it really lasts.