Finishing cypress.

[jaustin]

Was ask to make porch sign that has the family name. Will be making it out of a 10" x 48" piece of cypress. They asked for it to be stain with a dark stain and the letters painted white.
Is there any certain stain and paint that you would suggest using?
Also sealer will Spar urethane be ok or some other type of sealer?

 

[AllanD]

I would treat it like any other wood I would use on the porch. If you are worried that the resins will cause a problem, I have not found that to be the case. I have used cypress for boat components with clear oil type exterior finishes and used it for bee hives with regular exterior house paint and found it takes paint very well.

 

[Mike Wilkins]

Penetrating oil stain for the stained part and marine paint for the painted parts. Lowes sells marine paint in quart cans. I used some for some yard signs and it has held up well. Oil stain is the type used for decks.