Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1

    Default Need Advice on Finishing products for Heavy Use Bar Tables

    Hello, I am newly interested in woodworking with several projects popping up in my mind. I am also a Bartender at the Wig & Pen brewery (Canberra) and am currently planning on refinishing all of the wood table tops in the bar. I am planning on Sanding, Staining and Sealing with Tung Oil. I have been doing some internet research on these topics, but am really interested in talking to a local expert if there is one on the forum.

    I am planning on using Howard's Tung/Orange Oil for Furniture.
    I am not sure what type of wood the tables are.

    I would like to stain these tables a dark brown to match our English Pub atmosphere. Is there a preferred Stain to use when using Tung oil to finish and seal? Also I have seen that a lot of people cut their Tung Oil with a chemical to speed up the curing process. Does anyone have advice for me in these areas? Alternatively I am interested in hearing about other products if Tung Oil is specifically inappropriate for the heavy use Bar environment. Any advice is really appreciated.

    Thanks in Advance,
    Jeremy

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    nr Edinburgh, Scotland
    Posts
    19

    Default Finish for a bar top

    Can you get Osmo oil in Australia ? If so this is the stuff you need .
    Check out the Chippendale International School of Furniture for intensive cabinet making courses in Scotland.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    723

    Default

    Here's probably the best article on Tung oil you'll find:
    Pure tung oil: the world's finest natural wood finish - The Wood Works Book & Tool Co.

    Tung Oil is "Non hazardous" rated by Worksafe Australia; however people with severe nut allergies may react to it...but if you've got trays of peanuts on the bar, this is probably minor!

    Be aware that you'll need to be able to take tables out of service for a week or so while the tung oil dries (possibly more in a Canberra winter!)

    If you are into the whole 'atmosphere' thing, I'd suggest you also give the tables a frequent application of a beeswax furniture polish, just for the smell. Just stay away from the ones that use proper industrial solvents and get one with a citrus or eucalyptus based solvent...buy one that smells good, or make your own polish.

    Oh, and terebene is a drying agent for oils, and it is (or at least was) available from Feast Watson.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Grovedale (Geelong) Victoria
    Age
    75
    Posts
    9,665

    Default

    A couple of furniture maker/shop fitters have had amazing results with restaurant furniture, tables etc. finished with Hard Shellac.

    I believe one of the first restaurants was one in Sydney in the Lifestyle TV show (of a few years ago) My Restaurant Rule, 0r whatever the show was called.

    Hope this is of some help.

    Cheers - Neil

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Sunshine Coast, Qld
    Posts
    117

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Master Splinter View Post
    Be aware that you'll need to be able to take tables out of service for a week or so while the tung oil dries (possibly more in a Canberra winter!)
    This could be a problem for you Jeremy, as a week or so is a minimum with tung oil.

    Apart from that, I like the choice of tung oil. Bar tops in pubs are usually offensively shiny, while tung oil is a natural matt to satin finish.
    Rusty

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •