Calling all Stand/canopy builders!

[Reefjeeper]

I'm in the middle of building a new stand and canopy for my 72bowfront.

What I'm needing to know is, what is the best finish to use? I would like to do the inside of the stand and canopy in white and do the outside in a nice dark almost black stain. I'm using red oak for the canopy and skin of the stand(which is removeable from the pine skeleton).

I know I need to use a prestain and such but what am I going to use for the white paint on the inside and what is best to use for protection from water/humidity etc.

I have been looking at Minwax products for the outside finish and see they have a few different options for finish protection. I'm guessing I would want to use either Helmsman or ClearShield, but I don't know whats best for an aquarium situation. Or do can I/do I want to use something like Thompsons over the stain? I don't think that is possible but I don't finish wood EVER!

For the inside I see people dropping names like KILZ all the time in here, so is that the best for the frame, inside base and top? or is there something better? On the Kilz website I see millions of choices, which is best for keeping this stand alive for many years to come??

As you can tell if you read all that jibberjabber, I'm clueless on finishes, the woodwork part I'm having fun with and I will post pictures as soon as I have access to an actual camera, this thing looks awesome so far i think(can't wait for you guys to judge).

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!
Ryan

 

[maxima k2]

Paint and stain to what you like. Then use Helmsmans SPAR varnish. I have used it on a few and I have not had a water issue yet.

 

[davocean]

I personally don't do anything inside, but kilz is great primer if you feel you must.
I prefer oil stains(minwax) and minwax polyclear over that, 3 coats.
Follow directions.
For dark stain I like a mix of ebony and jacobean(3-1 respectively), gives an espresso color/finish, dark, but still shows grain.
I personally don't bother w/ conditioner on oak, but can't hurt either, woods like pine, poplar is a MUST.
Spar is great for marine/exterior, but I find polyclear to be more forgiving, but just my opinion.
Hope this helps.

 

[Texxxx]

If you want one of the best out there go to Target Coatings.
http://www.targetcoatings.com/home.html
It is very pricey though. I have been doing furniture building for 35 years and this is how I finish.
1. Spray water-based dewaxed shellac. Cut it 50/50 with water. (Let it dry several days)
2. Stain
3. Spray 4 coats of Lacquer. One every 24 hours with a light sanding in between (1200 grit).

 

[davocean]

While that may work great on furniture, I don't like that on marine base personally.
Lacquer is more brittle, chips easier.
Water base stains just don't seem to flavor the wood grain as well either, looks more like paint than stain to me, though I can't say I'm familiar w/ that brand.

 

[Reefjeeper]

Thanks for the quick replys everyone!

Davocean, I like the idea of the ebony/jacobean mix. I have been torn between the two of them for sometime now but worried the jacobean would be too brown and the ebony would lose all grain. And since I've spent so much on oak already, I better darn well be able to see all that beautiful grain!

however I have a few questions, first off can I use the Helmsman or Polyclear(is that made by minwax also?same as clearshield?) over the white on the frame? and how do you mean that polyclear is more forgiving? does that mean easyier to apply or?

Texxxx, I really like some of the colors from that place! But also like you said, pricey for now.

 

[davocean]

Test stain on pieces of scrap, or where not visible.
And yes, more forgiving in application and working time.
I wouldn't do this in hot sun where it will flash off too quick, giving less time to apply.
I like oils because they tend to layoff, or flatten out, showing less brush strokes.
Minwax makes both stain and polyclear(a polyeurathane base, which remains flexible) that are compatible.
Others may work as well, but check w/ paint supply to be safe, places like frazee or other pro sources(not home depot) if you want to mix different, though the ones I mentioned are available at HD.
And agree, ebony will bury the grain, and I like to see/know there is wood there.