Cypress adirondack maintenance question

[o2b4wln]

Howdy folks,

I recently finished building a few adirondack chairs out of cypress and wanted to know if I need to finish/seal them in any way.

From what I've read cypress is naturally resistant to mildew and rot; is it ok to leave them outside during winter and if so can they be uncovered?

Would appreciate any feedback/thoughts.

Thank you,
Neeraj

 

[RKA]

A finish will preserve the brown look of the wood.  Without a finish, it will turn gray (some people like that).  So depending on the look you want, apply finish or don’t.

If you want a finish, you can apply something like an outdoor vanish (epifanes), which offers some flexibility to hold up to the expansion and contraction cycles outdoors.  It’s a bit of work to layer on several coats but you’ll get 5 years give or take, depending on a lot of factors.  Once it’s time to revolt, you’ll need to completely strip the existing film, sand and refinish.  Alternatively an outdoor oil finish (Festool makes a good one) is a bit easier to apply, but will need to be refreshed yearly give or take.  The maintenance chore is a turn off for many, but the effort to sand and reapply the oil isn’t too bad.

As to whether you cover them, your choice.  The more exposure to sun and elements, the faster the finish breaks down.  So if they aren’t being used for several months, it can’t hurt to cover them. 

 

[o2b4wln]

Thanks for the reply, very much appreciated!

 

[butzla]

Don't bother finishing.  Cypress quickly develops a silvery gray patina.  Over time the grain will also wear away.... Like drift wood.  IMHO, outdoor furniture should never be finished but for maybe an initial coat of Thompson's
However, if you have the indoor storage,. It will make them last much longer.  Here in the Northeast, the season is only 4 months long so storing them will triple the life.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[peter halle]

You might want to consider sealing the bottom of the legs to prevent / reduce wicking of water upwards.

Peter

 

[o2b4wln]

Thanks for all the responses folks, very much appreciated.

All the chairs have started to get these stains on them and I didn't know what they are. They look like mold/fungus but I don't think that's what it is, would appreciate your thoughts.

[attachimg=1]

 

[xedos]

Looks like surface mold.  30 second outdoor wash should take care of it easily.

Thompson's might work in the North, but it's the kiss of death in the Southeast.  Guaranteed to mold and mildew wood products.

 

[Cheese]

You might want to consider sealing the bottom of the legs to prevent / reduce wicking of water upwards.

Continuing Peter's line of thinking, I have teak furniture that sits on a bluestone patio 365 days per year. To prevent the wicking of water, I installed Shepherd plastic glides on the bottom of each chair & table leg. They're just tall enough to prevent wicking but still so short that they're never visible. I installed them 7-8 years ago after the leg bottoms started to get soft and started to chip.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Shepher...s-with-Plastic-Base-4-per-Pack-9448/100073977

 

[butzla]

If those stains are unchecked, it will continue to darken almost to black.  It's for that reason, I don't use cypress for outdoor furniture anymore. 
I've had good luck with a product called Wet and Forget