Surfix outdoor over sign with epoxy inlays

[newinwood]

Hi,
I make a outdoor sign with heavy epoxy inlay and was planning to use Festool Surfix for outdoor oil.
Did anybody did try this oil to cover epoxy? I am thinking it could be not the best option for this application.
Or should I apply Festool oil and cover it with some other varnish to protect wood and epoxy inlays?
Thank you,
Ed.

 

[Cheese]

Hi,
I make a outdoor sign with heavy epoxy inlay and was planning to use Festool Surfix for outdoor oil.
Did anybody did try this oil to cover epoxy? I am thinking it could be not the best option for this application.
Or should I apply Festool oil and cover it with some other varnish to protect wood and epoxy inlays?
Thank you,
Ed.

Well, good luck on that, Festool has discontinued that product.

 

[newinwood]

Well, good luck on that, Festool has discontinued that product.

It is not question of availability, I have Surfix outside, and would like to use it. Question -if it correct decision to use it for this application.
Thank you, Ed.

 

[Cheese]

So, let's start from the beginning. I'm a big fan of Festool outdoor oil and I really wish they hadn't discontinued its distribution. If continually exposed to the outdoor elements it has a useful protective life span of about 6 months. So maybe that time frame will work for you. It somewhat works for me because I'm talking about teak furniture that's covered from the elements but that still needs to be refinished every year or so.

So, for your future projects, I'd expect that you'd want to use a finishing oil that was readily available and preferably longer lasting. As nice as the Surfix system was, everything has been discontinued. The applicators, the oils and the sponges.

 

[newinwood]

Cheese, thank you for the info.
What you would recommend for this type of application? Should I use just clear epoxy as a protection layer? Marine varnish or Osmo - UV-Protection Oil. My main concern - how any of these oil will work with epoxy?
Thank you, Ed.

 

[Packard]

I was not familiar with Surfix so I looked it up.  I am confused.  I see it available in dozens of retailer ads including Toolnut, Amazon.com, Highland Woodworkers, etc.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=surfix,+festool

It does not seem to be discontinued.  What are the ingredients to this oil?

The ingredients do not sound particularly exotic: https://festoolcdn.azureedge.net/pr...ment/2385fc63-e760-11e4-80ca-005056b31774.pdf

Technical data sheet
Heavy-Duty Oil art. no.: 236

Contents Linseed oil, wood oil/stand oil, nut oil, micro wax, clay, kaolin, zinc oxide, aluminium silicate,
uv titanium, Co/Ca/Mn/Zn drying agents.

This article discusses all the major types of finishes for outdoor wood projects.  Surprising (to me at least) was that paint fared the best of all the protective finishes.
https://finishing.tips/the-best-exterior-wood-finishes/

Choosing an Exterior Wood Finish

 

[squall_line]

I was not familiar with Surfix so I looked it up.  I am confused.  I see it available in dozens of retailer ads including Toolnut, Amazon.com, Highland Woodworkers, etc.

From this thread:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...iss-made-ce-zobo-drill-bits-discontinued/?all

Specifically this post:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...-drill-bits-discontinued/msg629699/#msg629699

FUSA confirmed they're discontinued.  Any remaining stock is all that's left of the system at this point.

 

[Cheese]

Cheese, thank you for the info.
What you would recommend for this type of application? Should I use just clear epoxy as a protection layer? Marine varnish or Osmo - UV-Protection Oil. My main concern - how any of these oil will work with epoxy?
Thank you, Ed.

Ed, as far as oils go, I've literally tried them all. I visited several boat stores and purchased a small container of every teak oil they offered and applied it to a different teak chair. I also mixed in the usual Watco, Minwax & Cabot oils for comparison. They all pretty much had the same life, ranging from about 2-4 months with 3-4 being the average.

From that disappointing testing I decided to try some hard wax oils, Briwax, Fiddes and Surfix Outdoor oil. I liked the Surfix the best. I recently also purchased a can of Osmo PolyX and will be trying that shortly.

What I've found out is that the best protectant will be a sealer of some kind with some pigment. The pigment helps block the UV rays which damage the wood and the finish. The more pigment the more protection, that's one of the reasons why paint is probably the best protectant around.

If you already have the Surfix, apply it and see what you think. If not, I'd try the Osmo and Bona (I like Bona products) also offers a product. Take some before and after photos and check back in to the forum with the results.  Good luck... [big grin]

 

[Cheese]

I was not familiar with Surfix so I looked it up.  I am confused.  I see it available in dozens of retailer ads including Toolnut, Amazon.com, Highland Woodworkers, etc.

It does not seem to be discontinued. 

Packard, the 1st acid test is to see if you can place the oil in your shopping cart, if you can, then the 2nd acid test is to call them directly and ask if the item is actually in inventory.

I actually ordered some from Festool/Woodcraft in January and Woodcraft got a big fat Zero from Festool. This is from that earlier link.

Reply #27 on: January 18, 2021, 09:37 AM »

I just checked the UK and the German websites and all of Surfix products are still listed. I assume they'll remain listed until the inventory is gone. I'm going to purchase some back-up today from Woodcraft.  [smile]

All the application kits, the small containers of oil and the foam applicator pads are gone. The only items left are the 5L containers of oil and the white & green Vlies pads.

 

[Packard]

Amazon.com allows me to load the order into my shopping cart.  I don't need it, so I did not make the purchase.  Hartville Tool says they have five containers in stock ready to ship.

 

[Cheese]

Cheese, thank you for the info.
What you would recommend for this type of application?

Ed, here's a couple of photos I ran across. These are pictures of a pair of teak door mats I made several years ago.

Photo 1. The upper door mat had been previously finished with Surfix Outdoor Oil and has about 1 year of service. The lower doormat has just been sanded and refinished again with Surfix Outdoor Oil, just a simple before & after comparison.

[attachimg=1]

Photo 2. The same lower door mat after about 6 months of service.

[attachimg=2]

Photo 3. Both of the doormats after about 1 year of service.

[attachimg=3]

Photo 4. Both of the doormats have been sanded and coated with a teak sealer. We'll see how well this stuff holds up compared to Surfix.

[attachimg=4]