Advice on refinishing a genuine Californian Redwood outdoor table?

[savvas]

Hi Folks,

Many thanks for the opportunity to join your esteemed company!

I want to restore my wife's rather dilapidated but dearly treasured genuine Californian Redwood outdoor table. I have no idea how she came by an outdoor setting made of such valuable and rare timber but there you are - a relic of the late '70s it seems. The table top is round, about 50mm thick and about 1.3m diameter. It's made of planks about 150mm wide.

I recall trying to quickly clean it up and refinish it about 20 years ago in the midst of house renovations - I think I just sanded it and painted it with polyurethane at the time. That finish has by-and-large disappeared and there are a few new stains here and there - all very drab looking. I've just built a new pergola and deck and thought a proper restoration of the table was deserved!

So what I'd like some advice on is what I should now refinish it with. I'd like something that will last and show of the timber. The table will be under shelter but we live close to the beach in Adelaide & it will probably get sun exposure and the occasional food & drink spills etc. It is also likely to have general gardening stuff (pot plants etc) left on it occasionally when not in use for dining!

I supposed I'd like to avoid any sort of polyurethane or 'plastic' finish, simply because they don't seem to last particularly well on surfaces that get a lot of wear. Should I be looking at some sort of 'catalysing oil' (I know nothing about such stuff - I've just heard this term used)? Tung Oil maybe? One of the Sikkens 'bright work' finishes for boats? I have some Feast Watson 'Woodshield' left over from oiling the new deck - would that do the trick?

All advice much appreciated!

ta, Sam.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Hi Savvas,

my first comment is that the table is most likely to be western red cedar rather than Californian redwood, which was mostly cut out by the 1920s. Still a great outdoor timber, but not quite the same.

For outdoor use its difficult to beat the marine oil finishes like Deks Olje, because they both last well and can be simply overcoated with the same product as they age. No need to strip like the polyurethane finishes when they deteriorate. Perhaps a light sand if you wait too long but usually not even that. Buy it at boat chandlers.

Good luck with it,

David

[savvas]

my first comment is that the table is most likely to be western red cedar rather than Californian redwood, which was mostly cut out by the 1920s. Still a great outdoor timber, but not quite the same.

For outdoor use its difficult to beat the marine oil finishes like Deks Olje, because they both last well and can be simply overcoated with the same product as they age.

Thanks for the reply David. Yes - I initially thought WRCedar but she remonstrated rather strongly with me and pointed to a little brass plaque underneath announcing 'Genuine Californian Redwood'! Perhaps just some clever marketing, messing with the truth! I've never had the courage to pursue the discussion further...!

I remember Deks Olje - my Uncle in Sydney used to paint the entire WRCedar side of his 2-story house with it - after he'd done the interior of his boat. I liked the way it almost retained a bit of shine without going dull. I'll investigate further - thanks for the reminder!

Sam

[savvas]

Apologies David - I also intended to ask if Deks Olje is a 'catalysing' finish - does it harden over time? I understand that unlike PU finishes (which essentially remain 'liquid' and just develop a skin) a catalysing finish will harden, giving it wear resistance. At least this is what I recall reading somewhere... My brother - who is an excellent bush-carpenter (built his wooden kitchen, cupboards, doors, pergola, deck and lots of house fittings) swears by Tung Oil. Possibly because it's an excuse to visit Carbatec which he can spend hours looking at 'stuff'. Any experience with or knowledge of this product?
thanks, Sam.

[Robson Valley]

Probably some finish formulated for wooden boats. Sikkens Cetol is popular with the bigger more expensive ($50,000,000) log homes.
Personally, I don't like Cetol for the UV screen gives a strong orange cast to wood. Maybe over redwood it won't be quite so noticeable.

[savvas]

Probably some finish formulated for wooden boats. Sikkens Cetol is popular with the bigger more expensive ($50,000,000) log homes.
Personally, I don't like Cetol for the UV screen gives a strong orange cast to wood. Maybe over redwood it won't be quite so noticeable.

Thanks Robson. I've found some further discussion on-line and it seems that Deks Olje is generally preferred over the Sikkins - in marine applications anyway. I've also found some good discussion of Tung oil - it sounds like a good finish but not as long wearing as the DO - so I reckon Deks is what I'll end up using.

Thanks all for the advice!

Sam.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Hi Sam,
DO does harden over time, but doesn’t need sanding when it’s time to recoat with the #1 oil. That time depends on exposure. I have external cedar doors and gates that get the western sun. They should be recoated every nine to 12 months. Where they face south they don’t get any direct sun and the finish lasts at least 5 years. I have some I haven’t touched for 11 years, for them the natural darkening of the timber from uv is the only issue.
David

[savvas]

Hi Sam,
DO does harden over time, but doesn’t need sanding when it’s time to recoat with the #1 oil.
David

Thanks. Yesterday I went out looking for Deks Olje - I managed to buy a small can of both #1 and #2, the #2 being it seems the last left in Adelaide due to disrupted supplies. I'm looking forward to the results. Thanks for everyone's advice - it's been v/useful! Sam.