How to restore an old Oak table?

[katemckenzie95]

We are restoring an old American oak table.  It has been sanded back to bare wood. I would like to keep it a light colour - not the darker stain which it was before.  What product is best to use? How about Cabots walnut stain with a satin finish? How about no stain and only Wattyl Estapol Speed Clear?  The leaf in the middle is a different grain - maybe a different cut of the oak.

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi  @katemckenzie95 

Sikkens 4L Natural Cetol BLX-Pro Timber Finish

https://www.bunnings.com.au/sikkens-4l-natural-cetol-blx-pro-timber-finish_p0440417

I/N: 0440417

$137.40

Buy  the  1 litre  version as you  wont need  4 litre. lol

• Quick drying
• Ideal for decks and all exterior timber
• Long lasting weather and UV protection
• Beautiful transparent low satin finish
• Lower environmental impact and odour. Compared to a typical solvent-based equivalent

Sikkens Cetol BLX-Pro is a premium, stand-alone three coat, water based system suitable for all decking, and interior/exterior timber. BLX-Pro is micro-porous, allowing timber to breathe whilst repelling unwanted moisture.

For a super glossy  highly UV resistant outdoor nateral  clear (no stain ) Finish

[katemckenzie95]

Hi Thanks for suggestion, but the table is for indoor use and I don't like super glossy.

[EricL]

Hello @katemckenzie95 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about restoring your oak table.

I propose having a look at the Cabot's 1L Satin Clear Benchtop Timber Finish. It's specifically designed for benchtops and tables, it's water-based and will therefore not turn yellow like oil-based sealers.

Timber being a natural product behaves in a certain way when it gets wet. I recommend testing the clear sealer on a small portion of the table and see if you like its finish when it dries off. If you like the finish, you can then commit the entire table.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to restore wooden furniture.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know. 

Eric

[katemckenzie95]

Thank yo Eric,

I'll let you know how it goes.

Regards Kate

[katemckenzie95]

Hi Eric,

Is the Cabot Benchtop clear you recommend, a poylurethane product?

And is polyurethane desirable for my table?

Regards 

Kate

[EricL]

Hello @katemckenzie95 

I've double checked with Cabot's technical team, and it is classified as a clear varnish. Now because it is water-based it will not turn yellow unlike oil-based varnishes. It is a much more desirable coat rather than polyurethane that hardens and chips when exposed to sudden impacts. 

As I mentioned earlier in my last post, it's always best to test it first, to see if you like the finish.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

[katemckenzie95]

Thank you for your advice Eric,

Yes I will test a small area first  - possibly underneath.

Regards Kate

[MitchellMc]

Keep us updated @katemckenzie95, and reach out if you have further questions. We can't wait to see the finished project.

Mitchell

[katemckenzie95]

Help!

We put the Cabot's Benchtop Timber Finish on the underside of the leaf and it's dried white - see photos. We did stir it initially.  It looked milky / white when we opened it and after the stirring.

Regards Kate