Farmhouse Table Top Finish

[Simon_G]

I've recently been restoring a farmhouse table and sanded the table top down to the bare timber (it was previously white). I've already tried Blanchon Hard Wax Oil, but would rather have a more natural looking finish, and one that's more scratch resistant as we have a couple of cats.

I'm a bit uncertain about the best way to achieve the finish I'm looking for, but have found Blanchon's Wood Floor Oil Environment.

This seems to offer the same benefits of Hard Wax Oil but without changing the natural appearance of the timber. Would this be an appropriate finish for the table top? I've also been looking at matt lacquer, but being a novice I'm unsure which of the two would be most appropriate. Would lacquer offer better protection?

Any advice is gratefully appreciated.

Cheers,
Simon

 

[John15]

Hi Simon,
I used 2 coats of Liberon Finishing Oil followed by a coat of Black Bison Wax very successfully on an Oak table recently. The wax is advertised as being hard wearing so it may be suitable for you. I bought it from Axminster.

John

 

[tomf]

I've used Osmo top oil on table tops before, it's sealed them well and does offer some scratch resistance. It comes in matt although it does give a little sheen, I think any finish you put on the wood will change its appearance.

 

[custard]

Hello Simon, you're not alone in your objective. Fashion seems to be turning against the "yellowing" that you'll get with any Danish Oil or Oil/Varnish finish. I don't mind these finishes on darker timbers but I agree that they can look a bit unnatural on paler woods.

One option you might look into is a brushable or wipeable acrylic finish such as this,

http://www.generalfinishes.co.uk/index. ... ore&CID=27

It's fast drying so there's less problem with dust specks becoming embedded in the finish, it's simple to apply, there's a range of finishes from matt to gloss, and best of all acrylic finishes are "water white", so no yellowing or darkening of the wood.

 

[marcus]

I haven't tried Blanchon's, but I would have thought that any oil will darken wood. Would be very surprised if Blanchon's is different in this respect to Osmo or any other finishing oil. Have you tried it, or are you going on what it says on the tin? If the later, I think you may be disappointed when you actually try it out....

Acrylic is indeed a sound choice if you want a hard wearing finish that leaves the timber as near as possible to its natural colour. Super blonde shellac would also be quite good, it will change the colour a lot less than oil, but not as hard wearing as acrylic. Nicer though IMO, and also much more readily repairable than acrylic when it starts to get damaged (as any finish will in time, even a modern acrylic lacquer). Waxing with a neutral wax will keep your light colour, but is not very hard wearing, will need to be re-done frequently.

Traditionally a farmhouse table would probably have been oiled and waxed, or maybe just waxed.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've used Osmo top oil on table tops before, it's sealed them well and does offer some scratch resistance. It comes in matt although it does give a little sheen, I think any finish you put on the wood will change its appearance.

I've used it on the wenge tops in my old kitchen - it was fine, and the best thing is that it is repairable if it does mark. I used satin.

 

[gmgmgm]

I've used Osmo top oil on table tops before, it's sealed them well and does offer some scratch resistance. It comes in matt although it does give a little sheen, I think any finish you put on the wood will change its appearance.

I've used it on the wenge tops in my old kitchen - it was fine, and the best thing is that it is repairable if it does mark. I used satin.

We have Osmo hardwax oil on kitchen tops as well- it's been there for 10 years and looks great. Easy to repair if there are serious marks, unlike a "diamond-hard" finish. FWIW, we've never had any serious marks.