red cedar dining table finishing suggestions - Woodworking Talk

cyoung · 10-22-2009, 02:03 AM

i just built a red cedar dining table with my dad..hes the experienced woodworker...ive sanded it the way i want it, everythings done....he suggests i put tung oil on it....ive grown fond of the feel and the color of the way it is right now, with nothing on it...what would happen if i never put anything on it??? scratches and dents and that sort give it character in my opinion.

GeorgeC · 10-22-2009, 07:51 AM

It would be fine as long as you never used it.

Somewhere, sometime someone is going spill something on it. If the table is unfinished that something will immediately soak into the wood. As simple a thing as a sweating glass will cause a stain.

If you like the color just like it is, I would then put some kind of clear finish. Since I do not know what you are used to using I will not make a recommendation, but there are several out there that would be fine. My preference is lacquer.

George

Tony B · 10-22-2009, 10:34 AM

+1 for George