John Steinberg wrote:
I'm *consulting on the construction of a truss tube Dob and the rocker
box is nearing completion. Ideally, it will be stained with a
water-based but water-resistant clear stain that lets the beauty of the
wood show through with zero or minimal color/tint added.

I'm off to Lowes and/or Home Depot later today and soliciting brand
names and/or the type of product most suitable for this type of job.

The shop in question is poorly ventilated so if there's something on
the market that does the above without noxious fumes, still better.

If nothing available meets the listed criteria, what would be the best
product to achieve a durable, clear finish on the rocker box?

Thanks for any authoritative replies.

Hi,

The best outdoor finish is a spar urethane varnish (a high oil content
varnish). They tend to be very yellowish, though. Next best is a
polyurethane finish (e.g., Varathane, etc). This is followed by
varnishes, lacquers, and shellacs, all of which have decreasing
resistance to water. The worst for water resistance is straight oil
or wax.

The one that's the least odious to apply with the best water
resistance is probably the water-based polyurethane.

If you choose an oil or wax you may want to take care as some of them
have a very long cure time.

My second hobby (besides astronomy) is furniture making.

Cheers,
Nate Perkins
Ft Collins, CO