[nouterbud]

We just completed this kitchen table made from old red oak boards that had been sitting in a field for a few years. we love the weathered look, especially the light grey color it is. what kind of finish can we put on it to maintain the look that it has now while protecting it from water rings or grease spots from food?

thanks for any tips!

 

[Brian T.]

You put a sheet of 1/4" plexiglas or lexan on top. Part of the character of weathered wood (lots of it up here) has to do with the drying surface and air in the surface wood cells. . . . seems to be an optical/light physics thing. If you coat the surface with anything at all which is going to "soak in", POOF! The magic is gone.

There's piles and piles of approx 1 x 2 x 16' Dougfir trim junk at the very far end of a really old sawmill site. I have been cutting simple picture frames from it. They are positively silver. The very best finish to show off that beautiful weatherd wood? Nothing at all, don't fool with it.

 

[Rick Mosher]

I believe if you were to put a couple coats of dead flat water based finish you would still keep your grey weathered look. Try it on a couple sample boards and let us know how it works.

 

[nouterbud]

by "dead flat water based finish" do you mean polyurethane?

 

[Rick Mosher]

I don't normally use water based finishes but if I was going to pick one for a table I would use Target Super Clear 9000 in a flat finish.

 

[GNobles]

What did you decide on? I'm kind of in the same boat. Want to preserve some reclaimed boards but not sand off the weathering or alter the color!