Got my second well-used, sun bleached and worn Zone VI tripod recently (the first is dedicated to one camera) and got it quite wet right away.

The swollen wood surface is causing difficulty when opening and closing. I used fine steel wool to smooth the binding leg surfaces. Consider it now unfinished. It is still not good enough, and besides I want to protect the area in question because I'll be leaving the tripod outdoors with only modest protection for a few weeks, possibly much longer. (The rotted strap and rope has already been replaced with nylon versions.)

Should I wax it? I have a can old old fashion Simonize that I used on a wood floor, but floors don't stand in the sun and rain. Should I abandon the old fashion and use an epoxy finish? I need something that won't become sticky or bind up in the elements.

Thank you in advance