Advice- staining Hardwood Sapele Gate? Satin /Gloss/semi Gloss??

stylus360

Hi All. 

I’m looking to hang a hardwood gate that has been sitting in my garage for 3 years! And finally had some posts made. 

It’s Sapele and has an old coat of Sikkens Filter7 Plus Mahagony on it. 

I’ve just give it a wash down and love the gloss look of it! 

The wet look is the third pic. 

Do Sikkens do a goss or perhaps semi gloss finish or will the silk look ok once done, it’s already had a coat of silk but several years ago 

Also how do paint all around it when it’s hung? Or is there a way to paint it whilst it’s off to do the bottom etc ?

Any advice much appreciated. 

Thanks.

Eldi_Dos

Are you going to leave a gap at the bottom,to make it easier to open if there is any snow or ice about?

stylus360

Yes I will be leaving at least a 1” gap mainly to stop water rebound from rain and prevent rot. 

Bendy_House

That is a really nice gate. And walls.

And I understand that Sikkens is one of the best products to use.

I think I'd try contacting Sikkens themselves, and explain what you wish to do.

You are obviously aware of the weak spots of such a gate - the end grain along the bottom is not only more vulnerable to water penetration, but is also the last part to dry out as drips tend to hang around there. So I'd ask Sikk just how much extra protection they'd advise for there.

You should be able to recoat the whole gate very easily in a few year's time, without having to remove it, but I'd ensure that any hinge rebates (what type of hinges?) and lock/handle drill holes are equally well protected.

Personally, I think the silk finish looks more natural, so I doubt you'll be disappointed should you continue with it, but that's got to be your personal preference (and even ask if one finish is more weather resistant than the other?). If the finish risks becoming too dark with additional coats - you say it's a 'Mahogany' finish? - then I think they do 'clear' as well.

Softwood frame? What finish will you give that? I suspect you'll struggle to match it to the gate, but perhaps numerous coats of Sikkens' Mahog will finally get there, hopefully obliterating the obvious softwood grain and knots type too. A possible option could be to use a solid dark colour, perhaps taken from the house?

Is it treated timber? It looks like normal CLS.