I've had decent luck with epoxy outdoors too, but honestly, surface prep is half the battle. Sanding thoroughly and applying a solid UV-resistant clear coat afterward makes a huge difference. Curious if anyone's tried automotive-grade clear coats for extra durability...?
I've actually tried automotive-grade clear coats on a couple of outdoor furniture projects. Worked surprisingly well—definitely tougher against scratches and UV damage compared to standard outdoor finishes. But, like you mentioned, surface prep is key. If you skimp on sanding or cleaning, even the best automotive coat won't hold up long-term. Only downside is they're pricier and sometimes trickier to apply evenly without proper gear...but worth it if durability's your main concern.
I've never really thought about using automotive clear coats on furniture, but now you've got me intrigued. Honestly, I've mostly stuck with traditional outdoor finishes like marine-grade varnishes or specialized wood sealers for my patio stuff. They do the job, but sometimes I feel like I'm constantly re-coating or touching up every couple seasons. The idea of something tougher and more UV-resistant definitely appeals to me—especially since I splurged on some teak chairs last summer and would love them to stay looking new without constant fussing.
But you're right, prep is everything. Learned that the hard way when I got impatient refinishing a table once—rushed the sanding, skipped some cleaning steps, and within a year the finish was peeling and bubbling in spots. Lesson learned, haha. Now I'm kinda meticulous about prep work, even if it drives me crazy spending hours sanding every nook and cranny.
As for the price and application hassle...yeah, that's usually the trade-off, isn't it? I figure if you're already investing in quality outdoor furniture, spending a bit extra on finishing materials makes sense in the long run. Especially if it saves you from constantly refinishing or replacing stuff down the road. Plus, there's something satisfying about knowing you've applied a top-tier finish yourself—like you're giving your furniture the VIP treatment, lol.
Might have to give automotive clear coats a shot next time. I'll probably practice on something smaller first though—no way I'm risking my favorite chaise lounge as a guinea pig!
I've actually tried automotive clear coat on some outdoor furniture before—worked surprisingly well. I refinished an old cedar bench a couple years back, and it's still holding up nicely through sun and rain. Definitely agree that prep is key though...I spent forever sanding and cleaning beforehand. But honestly, the extra effort upfront saved me from the endless cycle of touch-ups later. Worth experimenting with for sure, especially on teak.
Interesting experience with the clear coat—I've never thought of using automotive products on furniture, but it makes sense given their durability outdoors. Anyway, circling back to casting vs injection molding, I'd say it really depends on your project specifics. Injection molding is great for precision and consistency, especially if you're producing a large batch. Casting, on the other hand, tends to be more cost-effective for smaller runs or prototypes. I've used casting for custom hardware pieces around the house, and it worked pretty well—though the finish required some extra sanding afterward.
