Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Aug 02, 2007 10:19pm | #1

   Hi Shawn,

   A table in a kitchen environment should have a fairly tough coating for durability and for me that would mean a good varnish or a catalyzed lacquer.

   However to have what you described as a "natural" finish would be best suited to a a thinner wipe on varnish such as Waterlox Original.

   Applying Waterlox is simplicity in itself. All you need to do is follow the directions. Plan on doing 4 or 5 coats.

   It will produce a soft luster without a surface build of a varnish. In other words the finish will be in the wood not a film on top.

   Of course you give up something in return and that is durability. If you scratch the surface you've in fact scratched the wood.

   This type of finish is very easy to renew if and when required by cleaning the surface and applying more oil.

   If you want to consider a brushing varnish a couple to consider would be Behlens Rock Hard and McCloskeys Gym Seal. Both are tough coatings that are easy to repair. The Gym Seal has an inherent yellowish cast that you may or not find attractive.

   Concerning the two different inherent colors of the wood; both will darken with the addition of the oil and over time. I don't think it's critical to try and age the apple. I think you'll see when you are done that it will be very pleasing to the eye.

   Concerning getting an answer to your question; when you post them here I we try to get to them asap.  Sometimes my work load keeps me from getting to questions right  away. Thanks for your patience.

   Good luck.

   Peter

    

    

    

    

    

1. 
   ShawnC | Aug 03, 2007 12:15am | #2

   Thanks, Peter. I wasn't nagging--it's my first post and I had a bit of trouble navigating the site, so I thought I was missing something. I understand you are busy, so thanks for getting to this one.
   First off, are the products you list (Waterlox, Behlens Rock Hard and McCloskey's Gym Seal) easily available?
   Also, will the color of the wood be significantly different with the Waterlox vs. the brushing varnish? You mention it is oil? Applyin Deft or Watco to cherry looks very different than plain varnish.
   We have cats who may/read: will! jump on the table. Would the Waterlox be simplier to mantain if I'm willing to recoat regularly? I'm mostly worried about water spots/liquid damage (e.g. coffee) with a less robust finish.
   Thanks. I'm looking foward to seeing the apple when it's done. It's a very pretty wood.
   Best,
   Shawn

1. 
   peter28 | Aug 07, 2007 04:40am | #3

   Shawn,

   No need for apologies.

   The products I mentioned can be found at

   Woodworkers Supply or Homestead Finishing Products. The Waterlox and McCloskeys can be found locally at any good paint shop.

   If you like the way watco looked, put a coat on and then wipe it well. Let it sit for a day or so and you can apply a varnish if you'd like.

   Waterlox will give you pretty much the same look as the watco.

   Waterlox comes in a couple of flavors such as original and gloss. I haven't used the gloss but I think it has a higher solid content.

   If you put on five or six coats of waterlox original (for example) you will have a close to the grain or the natural looking finish you were looking for. If some hot coffee gets spilled, wipe it up. It won't have an instantaneous effect, it will probably just bead up. You'd do well to use a coaster with water glasses for the sweating.

   Unless you have a bob cat or a mountain lion, your cats shouldn't be that much of a problem either. If they gnawed at the table it doesn't matter what finish you have on it. Other than that...................

   The other good thing about Waterlox; after you finish and it's cured (six months or so) if you wanted to use a varnish for the film building characteristics, all you need to do is clean and dry it, give it a light scuff with a maroon scotch pad or 400 paper, wipe off the dust and you can varnish it.

   As far as cleaning it goes; a mild soap like dish detergent works fine. Just dry behind it as you go.

   It sounds like a great piece. If you can post a picture when you're done I'd like to see it.

   Keep me posted.

   Peter  

    

    

    

    

    

1. 
   ShawnC | Aug 07, 2007 05:04am | #4

   Thanks. I'll post when I get it finished. Still some summer ends to tie up!
   Best,
   Shawn