Outdoor Decoupage Finishes for Harsh Climates

I am decoupaging photos of short track speedskaters and various logos on a plywood skate. These will be mounted outside on light posts in our community to welcome/celebrate the U.S. Olympic speedskater trials in September and the World Cup in November.

Appreciate any tips as well as type of product so they will hold up outside in almost any kind of weather. I saw the question/answer on picnic table regarding curing, which gave me a fright! HELP!!

Sally

Hi Sally,

Oh, I'm sorry the article gave you a fright! Maybe I tend to over-stress proper curing, but I do so because about 75% of the letters I receive about problems with decoupage projects are traced back to improper curing between coats.

All the caveats boil down to two very simple pieces of advice:
1. Don't mix oil and water and you won't have to worry as much about curing times(; and
2. Allow each coat to cure before proceeding.

If you follow tip #1, you hardly have to worry about tip #2. You can read an in-depth explanation here.

Here is an answer (including product suggestions) which I gave another reader who wanted to do a decoupage project with requirements very similar to yours.

Dale wanted to decoupage a plywood palette for the annual Palettes of Keuka competition in Hammondsport, NY. The auction will be held August 29 this year and I am anxiously waiting to hear how Dale's piece fares.

Regards,
Eileen