Varnish finish options for a slab dining table

[Gordo78]

Hi,

I was going to use straight varnish/laquer for my slab dining table as that is all I've ever used, but can anyone suggest alternatives? I don't want anything too complicated, but if there is something better I'm interested. I've planed the slab and am about to start sanding so should be ready to start varnishing in a couple weekends.

[ubeaut]

What sort of slab(timber)?
How thick?
Air dried or kiln?

[Gordo78]

It's a tallowood slab,
about 38mm ( i haven't measured it since getting it home from the thickneser)
Air dried for about 3 years
I'm leaving the natural timber edge on it

[Sturdee]

Hi,

I don't want anything too complicated, but if there is something better I'm interested.

For simplicity in use I would use MinWax wipe on poly, available from Bunnings.

Before Christmas I was restoring a dining table and I used the semi gloss, gave it about 7 coats, one each day, and it came up trumps and not a brush mark in sight.

Peter,

[ubeaut]

Could be wrong but from my recollection of tallowood it's a reasonably oily timber. Which leaves you with a couple of choices. Shellac which will stick to almost anything or one of Organoil's natural oil finishes which will harmonize with the natural oils in the timber.

[Gordo78]

I've been toying with the idea of using marine grade resin to make it hardwearing but i'm still not locked in on a finish yet.

I'll have alook at the minmax and organoils stuff on the net this afternoon. I really need to get ctracking on this as i currently have no dining table and my shed is blocked up by the slab waiting my attention.

[Gordo78]

hmmm, the two part watyll has a good sales pitch. Anyone used it for a slab table before?

[Gordo78]

hmmm, the two part watyll has a good sales pitch. Anyone used it for a slab table before?

75% locked in, two part wattyl.

[chrapladm]

I once saw this two part Wattyl finish at Bunnings and wanted to try it but never did.

SO if you go with that finish please post some pics and experiences.

[Gordo78]

I once saw this two part Wattyl finish at Bunnings and wanted to try it but never did.

SO if you go with that finish please post some pics and experiences.

will do.

[bodiam]

For simplicity in use I would use MinWax wipe on poly, available from Bunnings.

Before Christmas I was restoring a dining table and I used the semi gloss, gave it about 7 coats, one each day, and it came up trumps and not a brush mark in sight.

Peter,

Bunnings also stock a product called "Glass Coat" (http://www.glasscoat.com.au) it is a pour on and leave to dry product it claims to be the same as 50 coats of regular varnish. it is About $51 for 1 litre which covers 300cm X 300cm i leaves the table looking like the name says "Glass" it is water proof so you just wipe spills off with damp clothe and soapy water. hope this helps. p.s. i am also making a slab table except out of Australian Rose wood for my HSC

[bodiam]

Bunnings also stock a product called "Glass Coat" (Home of Glass Coat) it is a pour on and leave to dry product it claims to be the same as 50 coats of regular varnish. it is About $51 for 1 litre which covers 300cm X 300cm i leaves the table looking like the name says "Glass" it is water proof so you just wipe spills off with damp clothe and soapy water. hope this helps. p.s. i am also making a slab table except out of Australian Rose wood for my HSC

[proberts]

you could use

Livos - KUNOS - Countertop Oil. I have used it on a desk and it has held up really well. Have also used Feast and Watson floor seal on a table and coffee table. 2-3 coats of floor seal then put on some wax with the final coat. Not sure how would go with Tallowood.