Old Oregon (I think) door > Table Top - Finishing Advice?

[Lucas Formosa]

Hello Forumites,

I'm seeking knowledgable advice concerning how to best finish an old door I'd like to convert into a table top.

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The door is constructed of oregon / doug fir to the best of my knowledge - please feel free to correct though. It's full of dings and scratches but I like that it looks knocked about, and am aiming for a pretty rustic result.

My dilemma is thus. I very much like the pale / sandy appearance of the as yet unfinished wood, and wish to retain something like that if possible despite any eventual finishing applications. I'd also like the finish to be as matte / low sheen / sanity as possible. Dull even, certainly nothing shiny or glossy.

Although I'm sure it's not the most appropriate product, I trialled a clear oil (Sadolin Hardwood Oil - for outdoor furniture it says, although the table will live indoor), as per the last pic, on a piece of the same kind of timber and while vaguely 'satiny' it's given the wood a far redder hue if I can call it that.

I know it's right to accept and work with the natural appearance of the timber you've got, and I'm not interested in trying to artificially alter the colour of the wood, but simply wondering if it can be finished in such a way to retain its 'dry' colour/appearance.

I'm (evidently) learning as I go, and any advice I can glean from those who actually know what they're doing is very much appreciated.

PS: Some of the joins around the door panels have opened up and seem to be filled with a curious plaster-like material, any ideas what this might be?

[rogerjenkins]

Read your item with interest. Actaully did something similar some years ago for a Yorke Peninsula client,- not quite as large, as they only wanted a Coffee Table made from HALF the old door they kindly supplied. ( can't remember what I did with the other half !! )

Last question first,- the, " White plaster like stuff, " is most probably the old Linseed Oil Putty which is what everyone used years ago before the invention of modern-day wood putties,- It is still around, as it is mainly used to Putty in the Glass in Timber Window Frames. It your, " Door case, ' the old putty has well and truely gone hard with age, result it chips out quite readily when attacked with a narrow- end wood chisel. Suggest simply, ( and neatly ), scrape out the old hard putty, and leave the gaps open for the, " Antique weathered appearance, " of your new table. But If one is fussy about the gaps, repair with a modern Acrylic Timber Putty in a similar colour.

For a Natural, but sealed finish,- I used, ( from memory ), an Acrylic Clear, such as the Estapol, " Speed Clear," which goes on, " Milky," but dries Clear. Suggest applying three or four coats, depending on the gloss level required. Haymes paints, Feast-Watson, and other quality Wood care product manufacturers also have similar products There's probably other products available too, as I am not up to keeping up with the latest and greatest info like I used to be when I was younger, and more energetic, ( or somethin' like that !!! )
Roger

[Pops]

Hi Lucas,

Like Roger, it was a long time ago I did some Oregon work, larger window frames. Like you I wanted to keep the natural Oregon colour as much as posible, as I had done some other Oregon previously and it went quite orange/red.

Anyway, I was told that the floor sealer that is used on timber floor boards would preserve, as best one could, the original colour and stop the top coat from darkening the colour. Well it did a good job I thought, not as pale as the raw timber but heaps paler than using other finishes I had used.

It is still pale. Can't remember the brand now, might have been Feast and Watson floor Sealer, but it was water based, that I do remember.

Regardless of any finish, the timber will go darker than the raw sanded colour but I was impressed with the result I got. I do like Oregon.

Sorry not much more help than that.

Wait to hear from the more experienced people here perhaps.

Cheers
Pops