Finish for Jarrah dining table

[Whit68]

Hi all,

I am currently making a dining table out of Jarrah - It is my first project and I now realise I should have built up to a project like this....but too late now.

The table top is made from a combination of old exposed beams (about 90 yrs old) from a friends house and floor boards from an old retirement village. The legs are old power pole cross arms.

I don't want a plastic mirror finish but want to bring out the natural warm glow of the wood. Problem is I have no idea where to start or what to use. Any ides would be appreciated.

thanks
Anthony

[RufflyRustic]

A jarrah table - Lovely!!:)

I'd suggest Minimax Wipe on Poly - clear satin, Shellac and even an oil finish might suit.

Do you have any offcuts left over? I'd get some finishes and test them on the scraps so you can get the look you want before applying it to the table.

cheers
Wendy

[TomH]

I finished a coffee table in danish oil followed by EEE. It was completed 8 months ago, and has sustained two small glass marks during this time. I am impressed with the durability of this finish - not like my other experiences of oil/wax finishes which tend to cloud or stain easily. There are a few posts on this already which discuss the various oils to use:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=67229&highlight=wipe+on+poly


http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=31686&highlight=%22hard+burnishing+oil%22

This last thread had a rather exhaustive study by NewLou.

Cheers,

Tom

[The Hun]

Hi Anthony

I built a dining table out of jarrah and glass several years ago. It was used every day for about 5-6 years with toddlers - and all that entails. I sealed the table with multiple coats of danish oil - finishing off with steel wool and danish oil. It survived all the children could throw at it - as well as what ever the adults did - wine, tea, coffee etc. No marks or stains - it is now used as an office desk.

Regards

Peter

[LGS]

I have used Scandinavian oil (Wattyl) with EEE then 4 coats of Traditional wax about a day apart each to good effect. I have a red gum and huon coffee table which has a lot of traffic and this has held up well. (nearly 12 months). I have also used this combination on a 2.4m long Jarrah table for a family with young children and they do not seem to have any problems. Here's two pics of the jarrah table.

[jerryc]

Anthony,
Suggest you read thread Searching for a foolproof finish" as it will give you good information that will probably answer your question. When choosing a finish the first question is what sort of treatment is the unit likely to be subjected to. Too often people their start from their favourite finish. Mine is shellac, but using it just on it's own on a table top might not be best practice in your situation.

In the thread sited above, I cover the mixing and use of the one third mix which both Wongo and I discuss. It is foolproof and gives a first class finish that will probably meet your requirements.

Jerry


War does not decide who is right. War only decides who is left.

[Whit68]

Thanks all looks like I still have some reading to do. I'll let you know how I go in the end (with pics of course).

Anthony