[TheForge] outdoor finish

[Steve Smith]

I have had good luck with a lacquer called Syncralac from Peacock Labs. 
Caveats: I've only used it on one sign (many individual letters made of 
mild steel), which is on the north east side of a building (i.e. little 
or no sun). Also, it is in Colorado, which is a much more forgiving 
climate than elsewhere. So far, no deterioration is evident. It has been 
up since November 1998.

Here are some other coatings (from an email by Ron Young):
"Okay here they are - Agate Lacquer, tel:718 784 0660
add: 11-13 Forty-Third Rd. Long Island City, NY 11101
ask for #8A Lacquer and #8A Lacquer Thinner, it mixes 50/50.
Next , Syncralac, made by Peacock Lab in Philadelphia tel:
215 729 4400 this is made for copper and bronze so you should add a 
corrosive inhibitor for ferrous metal.
Ciba sells corrosive inhibitors -add: 540 White Plains Rd - Tarrytown NY 
10591 tel: 800 431 1900.  Ask for Irgacor #153.  You add about 1% by 
volume to the coating.
Last one, XIM Company in Westlake, Ohio tel: 800 262 8469.  Ask for the 
#900 Protective finish for ferrous metals."

Unless you are going to spray the finish on, just buy your lacquer 
thinner locally. Shipping this stuff is expensive, as it is classed 
hazardous.

Steve Smith