Des Higgins wrote:
On Nov 1, 11:59 am, Sacha wrote:
On 1/11/07 11:53, in article
om, "Des Higgins"





wrote:
On Nov 1, 10:27 am, Sacha wrote:
snip
Apropos the remark above about painting the greenhouse every 2 years, isn't
it possible to buy teak ones that won't need painting? I'm sure they must
cost more but perhaps there's a saving in the long run if all that's needed
is a slosh of oil over the wood?
--
Same difference in long run I think. Sloshing oil still requires time
and effort. Usually you do it for a bit and then forget. To paint
oil on takes almost as much effort as a coat of paint. The wooden
ones look gorgeous but short of getting a small bloke in, the
aluminium is dead handy.
Nobody would describe me as a handyman but I thought there was an oil
(Danish teak oil?) that can just be brushed on and doesn't require all the
sanding down and preparation that painting does? I'm sure I remember some
yotties using that on weathered teak decks.
I certainly agree the aluminium is the best practical solution but it
depends on whether it's going to be considered an eyesore if totally visible
from the house or the rest of the garden.

I have used that on wooden worktops and it is easy but after a few
years you just forget to do it.
It is hard to maintain the enthuasiasm once the initial novelty wears
off.

Wax might be a better bet outdoors. Paraffin wax is about as waterproof
as it gets. Make your own from a box of candles, or get something like this.

http://www.bellbrush.com/selden-selw...tre-p-460.html

The downsides are that it gets tacky in hot weather and dirt sticks to
it, and the appearance is a bit cloudy compared to oils and varnishes.
Still, it only needs doing once and IME it will almost certainly extend
the life of the wood by a factor of 3-4.