Redgum slab table

[Jakey]

G'day - I'm a newbie - first post

We've got a redgum slab table top that was finished with wax. It's been buried beneath a protective cover for several years now (we have three kids).

We want to be able to see the table top as that's why we got it in the first place.

I'm looking at sanding off the top (also to remove a water ring mark - is this the best way?) and want to know what finish I can apply that is heat resistant and protective enough to survive day to day use.

[LGS]

G'day Jakey and welcome. Sanding sounds like a good call to remove the wax and the drink mark.

I would recommend Organoil Hard Burnishing Oil as the new finish. You can get a nice shine with really good resistance to heat, spills and most other annoyances.

Regards,

Rob

[Master Splinter]

Here's a plug for one of the forum owner's products, if you are looking for a nice, easy fix....

POLISH REVIVER

[Clinton1]

I'm looking at sanding off the top (also to remove a water ring mark - is this the best way?) and want to know what finish I can apply that is heat resistant and protective enough to survive day to day use.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

The water ring makes me thing it was fiinished in a shellack finish and then waxed.

If you remove the wax with a ubeaut polish reviver or orange oil product (buy the ubeaut product,as suggested previously as its cheap, effective and great quallity) then the water ring should disappear over a week or so as it will just be water and heat (e.g. hot coffee cup standing on the top) affecting the shellack.

If there is no shellack based finish...Don't sand... after removing the wax, feel to see if the top was finished in shellack. If the top was finished in shellack then the water mark will disappear.
If there is no shellack then wipe down the top with a hot damp rag, the water stain will disappear as the whole top will get wet and then dry out. Then deal with the lack of finish by using an appropriate finish such as the burnishing oil suggested... or a ubeaut shellack followed by ubeaut wax.

I know I'm plugging ubeaut products... but they are really very, very good and I prefer them over any polyurethane based finish... that said, the plasticy feeling polyu finishes are more 'abuse friendly'.
I'd use ubeaut shellack flakes and metho to make up a thinned varnish as a sealer, then a varnish, then use ubeaut treaditional wax over the top, as it shines up really well. Then use a table cloth and placemat to limit the potential damage to the table top.
Have fun!

[Toymaker Len]

Maybe just take the cover off and live with the inevitable scratches and stains. Let the kids grow up using a beautiful redgum table. Far preferable to a plastic cover. Then in twenty-five years or so you might bring the surface back up to pristine and wait for the grandkids to start on the second round of living with a beautiful redgum table.

[Jakey]

Thanks for the replies and options. I like toymaker Len's suggestions - the slab is about 2 inch thick so it can take some wear - it's just that my interior design consultant at home doesn't like the heat/water marks on her table.

[pussnutts]

HI GUYS
This is my first ever post, as I've just joined,although I have enjoyed reading some info over the last couple of months.

I am half way through my current project of 2 x small side tables with solid redgum slab tops and personally milled ex-fencepost rails and legs. All timber has come up absolutely beautifully and I'm so impressed with the surfaces that I'm now undecided as to what finish to use, as I want the natural beauty of the timber to remain and not be hidden under a darkening stain/coating.

I once heard about some type of coating that had a similar name to "rhino" or something, that ended up being quite clear and thick after a few coats, almost as if the timber had a piece of glass over the top!!

I realise I might be kidding myself, but open to any ideas please.

These 2 small tables will only remain indoors so U.V. etc shouldn't be an issue.


Also, are there places (like the Mens Shed type) that can allow the hire of any tools such as a thicknesser in the Melbourne area, where I could take some material for my next home project??

Cheers Pussnutts

[Karl1]

Have to agree with Len here. It's very hard timber so what ever the children do to it will not have much impact and more likely will add character. Enjoy it for what it is, a table for eating, socialising etc.