Carpentry and Woodworking - How to finish my dining table...
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tdemers
09-20-09, 09:28 PM
I'm trying to figure out the best approach in order to get the finish I desire.
My table was This End Up style pine. It had a very low, dull look and I really like that. It was not shiny at all, but held up very well to typical dining table abuse with 3 young boys in the house. I wanted to make it a bit darker, so I sanded it down and applied Minwax stain. The color is prefect and I am excited!! However, I want to keep that "dull" finish. While I would love to just keep the "stain" as the finish, I know that is not possible. What is the best finishing schedule to obtain the flat finish while still being durable? I have read about oils and rubbing, steel wool and many other things. I am open to all suggestions, but one thing to keep in mind...my family is currently eating dinner while sitting on the floor because the table is in the garage :) So it is not feasible to have the table tied up for weeks and weeks while applying layers and layers of oil etc.
I guess I want my cake and to eat it too :D
My table was This End Up style pine. It had a very low, dull look and I really like that. It was not shiny at all, but held up very well to typical dining table abuse with 3 young boys in the house. I wanted to make it a bit darker, so I sanded it down and applied Minwax stain. The color is prefect and I am excited!! However, I want to keep that "dull" finish. While I would love to just keep the "stain" as the finish, I know that is not possible. What is the best finishing schedule to obtain the flat finish while still being durable? I have read about oils and rubbing, steel wool and many other things. I am open to all suggestions, but one thing to keep in mind...my family is currently eating dinner while sitting on the floor because the table is in the garage :) So it is not feasible to have the table tied up for weeks and weeks while applying layers and layers of oil etc.
I guess I want my cake and to eat it too :D
marksr
09-21-09, 04:13 AM
Welcome to the forums!
Did you strip the old finish completely off before staining? did you apply the new stain in a manner that removed the excess stain that wasn't obsorbed by the wood?
While a satin finish poly has some sheen, it would be the least shiny of all the polys available to the general public. 2-3 coats will give the best protection and an even sheen. That should take 2-3 days plus a day or so to dry before being used.
What kind of cake :D
Did you strip the old finish completely off before staining? did you apply the new stain in a manner that removed the excess stain that wasn't obsorbed by the wood?
While a satin finish poly has some sheen, it would be the least shiny of all the polys available to the general public. 2-3 coats will give the best protection and an even sheen. That should take 2-3 days plus a day or so to dry before being used.
What kind of cake :D