I got 5 gallons of alkaloid semitransparent stain to use as a primer (OOPs shelf for $35). It hits the hemlock and it sinks right in. you can almost pour it into the end grain. I plan to use an acrylic deck paint as a top coat ($50/ gallon for $8). I verified it with the paint owner and he thought it would work great. I put in on some Adirondack chairs but now I am getting cold feet. It turned out beautiful; if I had erased all my pencil marks I would probably just hit it with another coat and deliver. I know there are some painters on these forums and don’t know if it was this one or the other so I am going to post it in both spots.
