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Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish is a clear, tough marine grade coating that protects and beautifies all exterior wood surfaces. Its unique polymerized tung oil formula provides a breathable water repellant surface. Rain and snow cannot penetrate the coating to damage the wood. Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish contains transparent absorbers to screen out UV rays and inhibit the graying and fading effects of the sun. It also incorporates a superior fungicide and mildewcide to increase performance. Made by Swing Paints.
$21.03
$51.00
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Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish can be applied onto bare, stained or finished wood.
Sand new wood to obtain a smooth, uniform surface.
For existing woodwork or furniture, clean thoroughly to remove dirt and mildew. Stir contents thoroughly prior to and during application.
On bare wood, thin the first coat with 10-25% turpentine. Apply a thin coat of Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish using a pure bristle brush. Apply evenly with long strokes in the direction of the grain. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Remove all dust and apply a second or third coat as above.
Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish may be applied using compressed air sprayers.
BRAND:
Circa 1850
Type:
Varnishes
Questions & Answers about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
2013-03-11MARGUERITE WILLIAMS asked: Is this satin or high gloss?
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2013-03-14KARIN DUTKIEWICZ: Hi-gloss...super hi-gloss! We used it on exterior door in a circa 1840s home. Had the intention of steel wooling to give an oil rubbed finish. However, we really ended up liking the gloss!
2013-03-22EUGENE LYMAN: It was Satin. I found it to be easy to work with, it laid out smooth and easy, and the end product was fantastic. Great product.
2013-03-22MICHAEL HARRIS: It has a high gloss
2013-03-23JAMES SINGLETERRY: It does have a gloss, not a super gloss perhaps a 90% gloss.
2013-02-17SCOTT ROBERTS asked: How does this work on an outside deck?
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2013-02-20GERALD STOKES: Hi Scott, i'm assume your talking about a boat deck. I actually use 1015 zspar captain's varnish. This stuff is really tuff, and holds real well in uv conditions. Hope this helps you. Good luck..
2013-02-20FRANK F. WAGNER: I applied three coats - lightly sanded in between each coat - to vertical grain VG fir decking under a semi-covered porch. So far it as weathered nicely. Of course I have only had it on since October. But we are in Iowa with quite a brutal climate and if this stuff holds up, I would give it an A+ rating.
2013-02-20MARK JEFFREY: I had very poor results on a cedar deck with new cedar decking. I applied the finish in the fall. During the winter it turned black, presumably due to mold growth and I ended up having to sand it all off and applied a different wood finish that worked very well. I couldn't get any help from Jamestown Distributors, apparently they don't stand behind the products they sell so I wouldn't recommend them either.
2013-02-20CAROLYN PARSONS: My husband says he doesn't know how it would work on a deck, it would depend on how much traffic on the deck. We are very pleased with how it is working on the log exterior of the the house. We have a lot of weather on our log siding as we live where it snows.
2013-02-21MARK BALES: I used the product on a door not a deck. Sorry.
2012-05-29A shopper asked: can i put it over stain deck?
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2012-06-07SCOTT WILLIAMS: I have never used this product on a deck. I have had very good results using it on exterior doors. Most all of these doors were exposed to extreme weather-sun and rain. My best suggestion would be yes, give it a try.
2012-06-07DAN DITHOMAS: I am sorry but I can not answer your question.
Dan
2012-06-07DENNIS PALOMBA: I have an outdoor shed which has double wooden doors. The Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish is outstanding. I live in North eastern Ohio and the winter months are severe. I would highly recoment this product for outside severe weather conditions.
2012-06-07KENNETH J SPERANDIO JR: I used it over my stained front door. It should be fine for the parts of the deck that you do not walk on. However, I do not think it is tough enough to stand up to foot traffic for very long.
2012-06-07LOREN MILLIGAN: I would not know why it would not work just fine, all items I have put it on for outside projects it has worked fine. Loren Milligan
2012-06-08KURTIS SEGUIN: It worked well on my barn However,not sure how well it will hold up on areas that will be walked on.
2011-11-12MARY GRIECO asked: I need a varnish to use for signs I am painting to hang outdoors, but I need something with uv protection and that won't yellow over time. Does this fit the bill, do you think?
Mary
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2011-11-14SCOTT WILLIAMS: Hi Mary, I have used the Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish on exterior doors. The product performed well for us. We live in the Chihuahuan Desert Region on the Texas/Mexico border. The main element that we have to deal with is intense sun. Moisture and rainfall are minimal. scott
2011-11-14JOAN CRAWFORD: Worked well on stained doors. I assume it would work well on painted areas.
2011-11-14CRAIG LITT: I applied over white cedar deck. It didn't yellow, but it didn't hold up well either. I am going to use a polyurethane next spring.
2011-11-15THOMAS CAPRARA: I do not know if this is auv protection or not. What I used this for was outdoors on our wood stained railings I'm not sure if it yellows or not it does not appear to have done this on our railings.
2011-11-25DANIEL MARTINEC: Hey Mary G I am sure this is a high quality varnish, but be careful with the application. I found that it did not cover the surface I needed varnished, but that's probably because I didn't research which surfaces this would and would not adhere to. My recommendation: if you are purchasing this at a store, ask someone what this works with and if you are purchasing this online, do some looking around to see if the chemicals you are using will work together. Hope this helps!
2011-10-11JANE SAUNDERS asked: I'm refinishing a 100 year old pine exterior door. Don't think I want high gloss on it. Is this a "high gloss" varnish or more a matt finish?
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2011-10-11ROBERT HASKELL: It is not matte.
Don't know how long it takes to dull out in the weather and sun as I'm using it inside a boat.
2011-10-11jane saunders: thanks robert.
2011-10-11GEOFF WILSON: My application for this product was on the teak rails of an offshore cruising sailboat. It was not high gloss at all - one of the reasons that I chose it. Its only drawback in this application was its longevity in a tropical temperature salt spray environment when compared against the conventional high-cost multilayer glossy products. A colleague also used it sucessfully on his classic eight-meter racing sloop.
2011-10-11jane saunders: Thanks Geoff, for the feedback.
2011-10-11DAVID WAKEHAM: I have been applying Circa 1850 to the exterior log siding of our cabins for years now. When a vehicle drives by the cabin you can see its' reflection in the siding. Therefore, I say "high gloss".
2011-10-11jane saunders: thanks David!
2011-10-11THOMAS CAPRARA: this is more a high gloss finish
2011-10-12JAMES SINGLETERRY: The finish is a high gloss. However, the varnish has held up extremely well through two summers and tough winter in between.
2011-10-12DENNIS PALOMBA: Jane the finish is more on the gloss side than a matt finish. This varnish is great for an oudoor application.
Dewnnis
2011-10-13TODD MATUS: It was a high gloss product when I used it. Todd
Product was used to varnish wooden deck furniture.
10/16/2012
5.0
Circa 1850 exterior varnish
By Buddha
from Racine Wisconsin
About Me Professional
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
Applies nicely straight from the can and leveled off nicely as well.The sheen is a little glossier than described but for exterior this is not a problem.This is my first timing using this product so I will follow up later on it's performance but I am expecting very good results.Reasonably priced as well.
7/24/2010
4.0
great price
By Nono
from Agawam, Ma.
About Me Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
I used this product on outdoor benches I have built and on antique farm equipment I have restored. The product looks great, applies well and the prices is reasonable compared to other products out there. Now the proof is in the pudding after spending a new england winter outside.
11/25/2009
4.0
Online availability
By The Ottawa Caretakers
from Blain, PA
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
We were looking for a good exterior varnish to use on carts for antique stationary engines. These products are just not readily available in our area. This varnish so far seems to be the best choice!
6/13/2009
5.0
Cheap and good
By neill
from San Francisco
About Me Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Pros
Ergonomic Grip
Cons
Retains Moisture
Best Uses
Small Areas
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
The cheapest but simply the best! Forget the expensive stuff.
6/7/2009
5.0
The best varnish in Illinois.
By Mark the painter
from Hinsadale, Illinois
About Me Professional
Pros
Easy To Clean
Even Paint Distribution
Cons
Best Uses
Large Areas
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
The best marine varnish I ever used on the exterior of a house.The gloss finish looks great no scratches from walking on them everyday and its going on 3 years.
11/15/2008
4.0
It all depends on the wood preparation
By himself
from Ventura, California
About Me Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Pros
Even Paint Distribution
Cons
Best Uses
Large Areas
Small Areas
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
With only dry surface preparation to 200 grit smoothness, the varnish quickly broke down in the dry summer heat of southern California. A more recent effort, this time preceded by a soaking of Smiths Penetrating Expoxy, has been very successful and the finish is something to be proud of.
8/18/2008
5.0
Definitely as good as Moser’s Polymerize
By Shadowfax
from Kitty Hawk, NC
About Me Professional
Pros
Easy To Clean
Even Paint Distribution
Cons
Best Uses
Detailed Work
Large Areas
Small Areas
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
I used this product for an application that is slightly out of the ordinary, Rifle Stocks. For nearly a decade I used Moser’s Polymerized Tung Oil with excellent results. Easy to use and created an enduring topcoat. Moser’s is owned by “Wood Supply Co.” and stopped producing the polymerized tung oil. I discovered the Circa 1850 through a web search and I’m very satisfied with it’s application and what seems to be a products as good as Moser’s. Thanks guys for producing a user friendly and overall an excellent product.
6/13/2008
(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Great product at an excellent price
By reuben
from sycamore. Illinois
About Me Handyman
Pros
Looks great and lasts
Cons
Best Uses
Any exterior varnish use
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
I used this product to protect a wood and fiberglass Kayak that I built last summer. It lasts very well. In addition, when the boat gets banged up I just sand off the bad spots and touch them up. You can't even see where the touch ups are located. This product is less expensive than many other varnishes and lasts just as well.
2/14/2008
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Good Product
By Bandsaw
from Las Cruces, NM
About Me Professional
Pros
Durable outdoor finish
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Circa 1850 Exterior Varnish:
I used this product to finish a couple of external mahogany doors. I haven't found a polyurethane that could hold up in the desert sun. This tung oil seems to be holding up fine.
I suggest putting on many thin coats if drips drive you crazy. Definitely thin first coat as suggested, maybe the first couple coats. Good product!!!
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