I like the Epifanes finish system because it allows me to thin the first coat to 50% to get a very deep penetration. If the subsequent coats go on promptly and are thinned progressively less, I feel the finished product will be pretty tenacious. It is great to work with on a brush too. Flows nice. I have only just begun using it in the past 6 months though, so I'll be watching for it's longevity. The project was a church restoration outside of Philadelphia. One pair of doors faces due south and will be punishing. I applied 6 coats altogether.
This progressive system is more akin to the way traditional varnishes are applied, and I hope it avoids the 'peeling plastic' look we see on some failing finishes out there.
The door frames were finished onsite by a subcontractor with McCloskey's (which doesn't allow thinning), so I'll have a side by side test going for the next few years.
Last spring I put the Sikkens clear coat product on my companionway boards. It looks nice going in to the second season, but to get their longest life they spec the tinted undercoat. I've used that system on white oak and douglas fir windows & mahogany doors and I don't care for the look.
What's best? There's a lot of variables. I'll use Epifanes on my handrails this spring and keep watching.
Bob
