Solid stain on untreated exterior wood

Question

I am putting together a bar top on my deck, and don't want to use pressure treated wood on the top surface (as I understand it that would be ill advised for an eating area). An option I am considering id using untreated Southern Yellow Pine lumber that is covered in solid stain.

Will the stain provide any protection against the elements?

Answer 1

A protective stain would help keep the wood from the elements, a spar varnish would be better, plus give you the advantage of wipe-ability.

Answer 2

I've done more digging, and this is what I've found:

Paint

• Sits on top of the wood and is capable of forming a sheen
• Is good at keeping moisture out, but traps whatever moisture that does get in
• Should be easier to clean food / drink spills off

Stain

• Can't be applied over a previously painted surface (not a problem in my case).
• Bonds to the wood more closely than paint because it actually soaks in
• Allows moisture to leave the wood.
• Does not form a sheen - leaves original texture of the wood exposed

In my application, I chose to go with paint. I applied two coats of exterior paint with "built in" primer.

UPDATE

The solid stain lasted for a few years, but when I took off the table to expand the deck, I wasn't happy with how the wood was weathering so I replaced the boards with composite and was very happy except for the composite boards were incredibly slippery and had to be perfectly flat in order for your cell phone not to slide off.