Flagstaffs can become weathered and lose their original look like the one pictured. That is easily remedied! Well, not easy-easy, but it’s not really all that difficult. Here are the steps:
- Remove the ferrules and middle screw joints.
- Sand the staffs down completely to the wood.
- Stain the the staffs.
- Coat the staffs with at least five coats of urethane.
Use 80-grit sandpaper to remove the finish, then step it down to 120, 180, 220, 240 for a smooth finish. You may want to use a sheet of printer paper between coats of polyurethane to give it a smooth and glossy finish. Three coats of polyurethane will work great for heavy use protection.
The stain to use is Minwax Wood Finish Penatrating Stain, Natural 209.
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The photo at the top of the page was the start and this is the final product!
I want to give a huge THANK YOU to Matthew Benoit-LaFleur and his Civil Air Patrol Unit in Idaho for providing these instructions that can help many, many others!
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Here is the suggested topcoat. Minwax Indoor/Outdoor Helmsman Spar Urethane.