The Two Sealants I'm Using Outdoors This Summer

On Friday's post, Kris asked how I would protect the wood top of the table that I'm redoing from rainfall outdoors. I thought this would be a good time to mention the two different sealants I'm using for our outdoor improvements this summer. In doing some research it seemed clear to me that I needed two types of sealants, one specifically for wood and the other for a variety of surface types.

The first is a wood sealant that claims to be water repellant, Olympic Waterguard Wood Sealer. I sprayed the first coat on the top and sides of the table top earlier today. About 5 hours after spraying I brought it inside to cure. The surface feels almost oily. I'll see how it feels in a day or two. The product says to allow the sprayed surface to "rest" for 24 to 48 hours before use. I'll have to wait 2 days before I can spray the underside. The product provides UV and mildew protection, as well.

The other sealant is more along the lines of a spray paint in both its dry time and its feel, Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Interior/Exterior Clear. This product is from the same line as the green paint I used on the #10 cans to use as plant pots for some herbs on our grill station. So far, so good on those painted can plant pots. I've used this clear spray on another outdoor project already and appreciated the quick dry time, under an hour. It's suitable for wood, metal and plastic. Although the Rust-Oleum spray claims to be suitable for wood, I chose the other product for the table top, as I felt the Olympic product might do a better job, longterm, for the wood surface.

When I was watching those patio transformation videos on YouTube earlier this spring, the Rust-Oleum 2X paint was recommended by several vloggers for coverage, durability, and the ability to use this on plastic items. The Olympic stain product I came across on my own. I'm familiar with Olympic outdoor stains and sealers. The Waterguard line is recommended for decks, fences, and outdoor furniture. Water is supposed to bead up on the surface. We shall see . . .

Anyway, those are two products that I will be using for multiple applications as we improve our outdoor spaces this summer.

Cheap & Cheerful Suppers for Early June, Plus Updates On Our Outdoor Improvements

I spent the first part of the week getting our watering figured out (still need parts to set up all of the soaker hoses). Mid-week I worked on cleaning the brick circular path in the center of the original vegetable garden (we've added 11 additional beds to those first 4 beds). And then finally I got back to working on a $5 table to use seasonally on the patio. Because I found myself rather busy every afternoon this past week, our supper meals were on the simple side.

Here's what we ate, plus some photos.

before -- one of the "arms" off the center circle in the original
vegetable garden
the moss was thick in spots and weeds galore

after -- I used the sidewalk scraper and a paint scraper 
to remove the moss from the brickwork.
It now looks like someone is taking care of the place.

Friday
stuffed grape leaves -- meat, rice, herbs, garlic, and onions in grape leaves
boxed Mac and cheese (for those who eat dairy in our house)
deviled eggs
garden salad
rhubarb pie

In mid-May, our neighborhood had a giant garage sale.
I asked my daughter to be on the look-out for small round tables
that could possibly find a home on our patio.
She spotted this table at one house and texted me some pics. 
They wanted $5, definitely in my price range.

Saturday
Swiss chard frittata
rice
rhubarb pie

Not only was the table a bargain, but it is a folding table,
so it can store compactly for the other 3 seasons.

Sunday
refried beans
rice or fried homemade tortillas
salsa
carrot sticks and dip

When I first saw the table, I envisioned it with
a darker wood stained top and black legs.
 I plan on unifying several unrelated  pieces of furniture and
outdoor decor with black paint and dark wood stain.
A couple of Saturdays ago, I unscrewed the table top from the legs
and spray painted the legs black with this indoor/outdoor paint.
I gave it 2 good coats.
I'll add a protective coat before reattaching to the top.

Monday
Live and Learn's curried peanut-pumpkin soup (Live and Learn, your soup is a go-to for us. Many thanks for sharing your recipe.)
scratch drop biscuits with homemade raspberry jam
garden salad

Tuesday
minestrone soup
freshly baked bread with homemade rosemary rhubarb preserves
garden salad

I've had the painted legs in the entry hall for
the last couple of weeks, letting the paint cure.
(Follow the yellow brick road --
our yellow brick entry tile.
When we bought this 1970s house,
we said replacing
the yellow brick "road" would be
one of our first projects.
Yet, here it still is.)

Wednesday
cook-out
hot dogs in homemade buns
three bean salad on tossed garden greens 
jello and fruit salad, using flat soda and plain gelatin for the jello part

Thursday afternoon I decided to tackle the table top.
I hauled it out to the deck and sanded
the old finish off the top and edges.

After sanding, I gave it a first coat of stain.
I want a darker look than this, so I'll add a second coat of
stain tomorrow. When I've got the stain how I want,
I'll seal the top, the edge, and the underside before
reattaching the legs to the top.
Stay tuned for a final photo when I've got this completed.

Thursday
minestrone soup (again)
toast
rhubarb pie

And one last photo update. Remember the primrose seeds I started in sifted soil? They've sprouted!

Now I've just got to keep them alive long enough to grow up into full-fledged plants.

So this was my week in activities and meals. What went on in your week? Any special projects? What were your favorite meals this past week?