The 1920s simple oak dining table I’m working on for my son is well beyond any antique value – but it will still make a great game table. The repair work I’m doing (replacement slides, re-gluing the joints, and removing old finishes to bare wood), will be done in my shop in Florida – while the actual finishing will be done where my son lives in Tennessee so that it can be matched to the chairs he intends to use with it. My concern is that once I get all the old finishes removed, repairs made, and return the table, it may be some time before a new finish is applied (weeks – not months). In the meantime, ‘m afraid warping or accidental staining might happen. The finish he will use is a light finish, similar to Golden Oak. Is there any product I could use to seal the wood to lessen damage potential – without damaging the ability to apply the desired finish?
Thanks
Dave
Replies
You can carefully wrap in plastic, taking care to tape joints closed. That should keep stains out and slow moisture transfer. Ultimately it will have to adjust to the moisture content of Tennessee.
Interesting thought Steve, and one I hadn't considered.Dave
You can carefully wrap in plastic??
I for one wonder what you just said! Not tthat you are wrong!
Unless the table is exposed to unusual airborne chemicals while it's at the bare wood stage, I wouldn't think the delay would have an appreciable effect. If stored in high humidity, there might be some grain lifting that would require some re-sanding, however.
As others have suggested, it shouldn't be a problem. Just don't spill anything on it, or you'll have more work to do to get that off. Ask me how I know!!
I wouldn't be too concerned, but if you want an extra level of protection, give it a washcoat of thinned dewaxed shellac (like SealCoat). He should be able to get most of it off with denatured alcohol if he decides he doesn't want the washcoat under everything.
---mike...
Hello
Sealing is really not necessary - but if there are table leafs without finish - they can warp - especially if they are leaned against a wall on an angle for a long time -
Regards,
SA
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