Which finish, which glue?

[Warren White]

I am building a set of three steps to get these old bones up into our spa a bit easier. I am building them out of some fir or pine (don't know which) that has been salvaged out of a 1940's era pier. The wood is 50 years or so old, and quite pretty now that it has been milled.

This will need to stand the sun and rain here in California.

What kind of glue do I need to hold it together (the sides of the stair will be edge glued, the steps will be glued and screwed to the edges), and what kind of finish will hold up the longest under the conditions described?

Thanks,
Warren

[Don Baer]

Titebond III and a Marine Varnish is what I'd use.

[Jim DeLaney]

...This will need to stand the sun and rain here in California.

What kind of glue do I need to hold it together...and what kind of finish will hold up the longest under the conditions described?

PL Premium construction adhesive, and NO VARNISH! Use a deck finish like Flood's CWF or better yet, if you can get it in CA, Sikkens or Cetol deck finish.

Whatever deck finish you use, you'll need to reapply it every year or two. If you use varnish, you'll need to completely sand it off prior to recoating, because the water will get under it.