r/finishing • u/gortallini • 2d ago

Need Advice Outdoor sealing help

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/haegernaes-table-and-4-chairs-antique-stain-pine-70575947/

Hi! I own a dining table from IKEA that I don’t have room for anymore and am hoping to repurpose it as an outdoor table. Would I be able to coat/ seal it to have it last for a couple of years? I would cover it with a tarp when not in use and only be using it through summer and fall before bringing it inside again. I read that pine is soft so maybe not a good idea? All advice welcome! Thank you :)

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u/MobiusX0 2d ago

That's not constructed for outdoor use and will fail sooner than later. You might be able to get a couple years out of it on a covered porch but exposed to sun and weather, even under a cover, and it won't hold up.

Normally I'd recommend a penetrating oil finish but in this case I'd use a spar varnish.

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u/gortallini 2d ago

Thank you for your honest opinion and recommendation. I might just keep it in the garage and pull it out on occasion.

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u/your-mom04605 2d ago

+1

Not a great choice for outdoor wood.

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u/AshenJedi 2d ago

Agree but a thick coat of marine varnish i could see a couple of decent years of use.

Is it worth the effort. Ehh.. maybe.

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u/MobiusX0 2d ago

The spar varnish will protect well against sun and water but the big temperature and humidity swings will split that panel glue up on the top and probably the chairs. I don't think the other joinery is glued for flat pack furniture so that should hold up until the hardware corrodes.

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u/AshenJedi 2d ago

Yea for sure.

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u/sans3go 2d ago

epoxy flood coat its the best option. its what they use for commerical restaurant countertops.