I've been whittling for about a year now as a fun pastime while spending time outdoors with my mom. I'm currently working with basswood blocks because they're easier on my hands. I'm planning to create some decorations for her garden planters but I'm curious about the durability of basswood. I've read that while it's soft and porous, it can also be used to make spoons. Is it possible to weatherproof basswood so it holds up outside? My plan is to protect the figures with a wood preservative, do some painting or staining, and then finish with an exterior UV-resistant spray varnish. Will that work? If so, does anyone have product recommendations? I'm mostly familiar with spray varnishes and not so much with wood preservatives or stains. Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
I'd recommend using spar urethane, which is commonly used for marine applications and outdoor furniture because it includes UV protection. But do keep in mind that all wood will degrade in outdoor conditions eventually. If you're looking for more durable options, consider using rot-resistant woods like Cypress or Red Cedar.
If you're going to have your basswood figures in soil, they will rot, that's just a fact. A handy tip is to attach a base to the bottom of your carving to create a buffer between the soil and the wood. Alternatively, you could design them to hang off the edge of your pots. Here's an example of a whittle I made years ago that held up pretty well despite being unfinished: [Lion flagpole finial](https://ptsne.blogspot.com/2022/07/flagpole-finial.html).
You can definitely use outdoor stains, lacquers, or polyurethanes to seal your basswood figures. I personally use Minwax products and they've worked well for me. Just keep in mind that anything left outside will eventually need re-sealing, especially basswood since it tends to rot more quickly than other woods.