Best Finish for NZ Kauri Coffee Table

[Papa Den]

Hi, this is my first post, but I am confused over the best finish for a coffee table I am making. The table is made from NZ Kauri timber. The table is raw timber at present and has been sanded to 250 grit. I have thought about a number of finishes to the extent that I am now very confused. I have only ever put a few coats of polyurethane on my previous projects. I want to make this a good finish. Suggestions are very welcome! Ps, does anyone know what the New Zealanders refer to as "Amber-titian", it appears to be a very warm coloring and shows the timber grain well?

[LGS]

Greetings Papa Den and welcome to the forums.

With regard to a finish for your table, you could try Tung Oil diluted down 1:3 with White Spirit and use that to burnish the wood. It shows grain beautifully and also brings out the colour in the timber. This method is a good one. The thread deals with burnishing and subsequent benefits it provides. Alternatively, if it's available over in NZ (I lived in AKL for 5 years so I'm JAFA) you can use Organoil Hard Burnishing Oil in place of the Tung oil and White Spirit.
Here are some pictures of tables finished with burnishing. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me or email.

Regards,

Rob

[Fuzzie]

I found Organoil's Danish oil darkened my Kauri substantially. Best keep your offcuts and do some tests with candidate finishes before committing to any one.

[Christos]

Papa Den; welcome to the forum.

I would also have suggested Organoil's Danish Oil but can not say i used it on NZ Kauri. I have used Minwax Wipe On Poly for a coffee table, I picked up the Minwax from Bunnings. Feast Watson also has Wipe On Poly but not tried that as yet.

Sorry forgot to ask. Are you trying to make the grain stand out a little and that is why you are thinking of oil?

[rod1949]

After the timber has been sealed put a sheet of glass on it.

[Papa Den]

Papa Den; welcome to the forum.

I would also have suggested Organoil's Danish Oil but can not say i used it on NZ Kauri. I have used Minwax Wipe On Poly for a coffee table, I picked up the Minwax from Bunnings. Feast Watson also has Wipe On Poly but not tried that as yet.

Sorry forgot to ask. Are you trying to make the grain stand out a little and that is why you are thinking of oil?

As the grain is very fine, I am trying to enhance what existing grain is there. I would prefer the finish to have a golden- honey(?) appearance.
Have tried Raw Linseed Oil (nice colour and grain but have read enough to not go down that path)
Am trialing Feast Watson Watson Buffing Oil (with and without grain sealing) currently.

[AngelaPetruzzi]

Depending on what products you have or can get your hands on try it on off cuts if you can.
Natural penetrating oils will deepen the colour of the timber and give you the added benefit of being able to rejuvenate the top at a later stage without sanding back...... and some are certified food safe too.
An alternative to using petroleum based products.

[Larks]

Have a look at the Feast Watson Tung Oil, I've had good results with that.