spar urethane works well. I still re seal it every year though.

You can also use "enamel based paints" for outside projects such as your birdhouses. I use either Americana or Deco Art enamel paints for mine.

Sal

OK, that's what the hardware fellow said he'd get in for me, the Spar. Thanks!

Wait! Wait! Girlgroupgirl, don't go away so fast. You know we want to see pictures of your painted birdhouses. Please can you post some pics for us? We love birdhouses. Luvs

That's such a cute response, LUVS. It brought a mental picture of GIRL turning to leave, and you jumped and grabbed her dress to pull her back. YES, I forgot to urge you to show pics too. Puuuulllleeeeesssse!

I have shown my birdhouses on this forum before, but not in the last year or so.
These are just a few : http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v192/girlgroupgirl/garden%20furniture/

This does not include the "Jimmy Hendrix Vest" birdhouse, "That 70's Birdhouse", "Andy Warhol's Factory" birdhouse, "The Psych-Out" bird house nor the tribute to Roy Litchenstein birdhouse.

Do you sense a theme?

GGG

I love every ONE of them but the red w/paisley is my fav. Is the bench mosaiced? Your work is absolutely stunning. Wish I could paint like that.

Do you build your birdhouses, or purchase them unpainted? You really paint them up! I love them all!

Janie

Thank you all, you are too kind.

Oh, so there are photos of the red one up. That's Jimmy Hendrix Vest birdhouse with the fake shiska glass on it. The bench was painted. Read was. In about 3 months that paint all peeled off, I was so bummed! I couldn't figure out how to make a strong enough bench out of anything that paint might stick too for long enough, or that mosaic will not buckle from. This is out in full sun and has to take all the elements.
The birdhouses are almost all 2nd hand. I buy them at yard sales, have traded for them, were given old ones to fix up...

GGG

Oh, how colorful! I can sure understand why you would want to protect them from the elements. Sure hope the Spar varnish does it for you, lots of people seem to have had good luck with it. Just don't forget to go ahead and put another coat on each year just to be safe. Thanks for sharing your pics. ;o)

Slow--that is exactly what I wanted to do--it sounded like she was going to go away and I wanted to reach out and keep her here! LOL

Luvs

Spar Urethane will yellow.

I read that you shouldn't use oil based sealer on birdhouses....

Spar is a good sealer , but it will Yellow the lighter colors, especially the white