Spar Varnish Update
We keep jumping from project to project, and my latest one is to finish finishing the doors. The back door is installed and the front door just got one last coat of matte spar varnish.
I am very happy with how they are turning out and I hope the finish lasts for years. I was happy when I was reading the newest Fine Woodworking this weekend to find an article on finishing outdoor furniture (and doors). I used the same spar varnish they recommended, but I didn't use an epoxy sealer first. I was worried that the matte spar varnish would still end up shiny, but it didn't. I followed the directions on the can and thinned the first coat 50%, the second 25% and subsequent coats about 5-15% . The final coat I used the Epifanes matte varnish barely thinned and it looks great. Here's a picture of the front door that is still drying & it really isn't shiny.
The front and back door are complete, next will be the French doors. I bought badger type brushes and they have worked well. I tried one coat with a foam brush (they also have an article about foam brushes in this month's Fine Woodworking, but I hadn't read it yet). I did not like the feel of the foam brush as much as the regular brush. I think I just got really used to how the brush worked and how much varnish to put in it. Cleaning the brushes is a bit of a pain, but they're holding up well, so it's worth the investment! Anyone out there really like foam brushes? Reading the article did make them sound easier, but I'm just not sure about using it and then throwing it away, even if it only cost a dollar...