nbrahm

Hi Pros, I just purchased two new sets of outdoor furniture- one Ipe, one Balau (yellow Shorea). Balau is delivered "naked"; Ipe is delivered "with a very thin coat of lindseed oil". The (two different) manufacturers suggest 2 weeks "aging" for the naked Balau; 30-60 days for the Ipe. I have narrowed my search down to these stains to do myself (in the order I'm interested, at this point): Woodrich Hardwood Semco Teak Sealer (says "solvent-based, does not contain silicone, varnish, polymers or exotic oils") Sikkens Semi-trans SRD Sikkens SRD Penofin Hardwood A high-end teak furniture manufacturer's product (contains "water, synthetic polymer, pigment and UV protectant) I have three questions: 1) I am looking for a stain that will not be difficult to put on (no "painter's touch" needed). Ideally, spraying it on and then rubbing with a cloth. Which stains would be best for this, or can I simply not avoid brushing (or, at least, backbrushing after a spray)? 2) What is the difference between transparent, semi-transparent and translucent stains? Which should I be most interested in for tropical hardwood furniture? 3) Which of the above do * you * recommend in terms of quality/performance, keeping in mind I'm a DIYer? If you have a favorite color for Ipe and/or Balau with your recommended stain, I will trust you. Thank you for any help on this (I TRULY appreciate it).

The project is complete- here are pictures! I ended up going with a full cleaning with EFC-38, neutralized with Citralic and applied Woodrich Hardwood Wiping Stain (Ameretto color) with a painter's mitt, let it soak in for about 15 minutes and wiped with an old sweatshirt cut up into rags. Here are the pictures and thank you to everyone on this forum for their help, it looks great!

Thanks everyone...I will be back to post pictures of the results, but seeing as I'm going to age the Ipe for a year (then clean and neutralize first) it might be a while ;) If I do the Balau sooner I'll post those, too.

Thanks you both very much for your replies! Beth, last questions, I promise! I went to A/Cs site and I don't see any "Amber" color....for Transparent I see Natural, Cedar and Redwood...Semi-Trans I see Sierra Redwood, Driftwood, Rustic Brown and Cedar Semi. I assume you mean Cedar? Should I use Transparent or Semi-Transparent? I'm inclined to go with the easier-to-apply of the two, if there is one. Also, does A/C leave a "film" above the surface due to the drying oil? Or is the drying oil absorbed, too, just not as much as the non-drying. Lastly, can I get away with a plastic spray bottle and rubbing with a rag (sorry, this may be a total rookie question!). Spraying and backbrushing? Or can I not escape just brushing with a "painter's touch"? Thanks again for your help!