Oak table finishing advice

[Hoonigan]

Hi,

I bought an oak coffee table from eBay at the weekend and am in the process of refinishing it. I will finish sanding it tomorrow night and then to apply a some sort of finish but that's where I need some assistance. We would like to keep the sanded down natural oak colour and not make it any darker than we have to, would I be best using a clear varnish, some sort of oil or a wax type finish?

Here is the table



And before and after, the before is how we prefer it



Thanks

Edited by Hoonigan on Monday 4th May 23:04

[Pheo]

I think the problem you might have is that it looks like that because it's just been sanded and is dusty. If you run a damp rag over it it'll darken up.

Think the best you are going to get is a Danish oil or similar. Shouldn't have too much of an effect. Be aware the top will be more vulnerable to damage than with a strong varnish.

Ps nice table.

[Big Al.]

Agree, Danish oil for me, put it on with a brush and wipe it off with a lint-free rag, repeat until desired sheen has been acquired.

[Stu R]

I prefer linseed oil for stuff that's likely to get knocked and banged, worktops etc. Danish Oil is great too though if you want a deep, glossier finish.

[singlecoil]

You will find Osmo Poly X to be easier, less smelly and give a better result than Danish Oil. I stopped using the latter and started using the former when I learned about it.

[Neil - YVM]

Another vote for Osmo products, Though we use Osmo Top Oil .

These are a blend of oil and waxes, and are easy to use and give a better finish than a pure oil or wax.

[Robbo66]

Fiddes Hard Wax Oil.

Quicker drying and far, far more durable than traditional HWO.

http://www.fiddes.co.uk/product.php?name=hardwaxoi...

[Murph7355]

Another vote for Osmo products after a recommendation from here.

It *will* go darker. So buy a small pot and try somewhere unobtrusive first.

[uncinqsix]

Another vote for a danish-type oil here. I work a lot with oak, and I use a local product that's a mixture of tung oil and vegetable turps with dryers added. I often wet sand the oil into the timber with progressively higher grits (up to 800 or so), and that creates a slurry that fills the pores in the oak. (only try that with a true oil product. Some danish "oils" are really just thinned polyurethane). Liberon Finishing oil would be my pick of what I know's available in the UK.

[Hoonigan]

Brilliant, thanks all. I've decided to go with the Liberon finishing oil as available in Jewsons and reasonably priced, don't want to spend a fortune as the table only cost £68.00. I'll post up some pics when finished...

[yellowtang]

Once you've oiled it, it will basically look the same as it did before you sanded it!

An oiled finish is much nicer than a varnished one though - I assume it was varnished? I have precisely the same table and mine was!

I paid £350 for mine (new), around 8 years ago

[Hoonigan]

Yup it was varnished and quite scratched and worn so will look loads better I'm sure. The cheapest I've found the table is £270 ex delivery so not a bad purchase..

[Hoonigan]

Yup it was varnished and quite scratched and worn so will look loads better I'm sure. The cheapest I've found the table is £270 ex delivery so not a bad purchase..

[Nuisance_Value]

Liberon is another excellent finishing oil, I've used it on wood flooring with excellent results. Completely safe too if you have kids or animals that are keen on chewing furniture.

[Hoonigan]

Sanding finished and quite pleased with the results though do have a rather dusty garage now despite my best efforts with extraction.



And how it started

Edited by Hoonigan on Tuesday 5th May 22:31

[BigRickus]

I'd be really interested in an idiots guide, step by step on how you did this.
We have some old G-Plan that I'd love to restore but don't know were to start.. Ive tried doing a side table before but wasn't overly impressed with the finish I got and it stains really badly on the top with any liquid marks.

Looks great BTW!

[Hoonigan]

Picked up the oil today and got the first coat on, really pleased with the colour, sooo much better than before. Unfortunately there are some scratches I thought I'd removed now showing up on the top, in hindsight I should have dampened the top down to check but tooate now so unless anyone says it's a terrible idea then I'll sand the top back again and a bit harder tomorrow to try and sort it. As for an idiots guide, well this is it really, lots of sanding and a bit of oiling...

[StangGT]

Another option if you like a really natural finish is to soap it.
Does need redoing often though and is a very porous finish.
Looks lovely though

[StangGT]

http://woodshopnews.com/columns-blogs/finishing/49...

[marksx]

Too late for the party, but I'll add another recommendation in case any reads later. Briwax. I love the stuff.

Easy to apply, dries much, much quicker than oil, and leaves a lovely finish.