Asked on Dec 05, 2017

Can I apply something to wood dining table top to make it waterproof?

Janice
by Janice
I want to play cards and games on it and not use coasters or tablecloth.

  10 answers
  • Rose Broadway Rose Broadway on Dec 05, 2017

    If you put on a couple coats of clear Poly it should protect it very well.

    • Janice Janice on Dec 05, 2017

      Thanks Rose, I will try the polyurethane. I was afraid as someone told me there was nothing I could do except cover with a glass top. Will try inside leg first just to make sure. The table top has a beautiful grain, pretty but unpractical.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Dec 05, 2017

    Agreed any type of clear poly would work. Poly acrylic is the water based form, it isn't quite as durable but it is much less toxic and it takes a lot less time to dry. Poly urethane is the oil based type that you could also use but, like I mentioned, it does take longer to dry and is real stinky to use...

  • Janet Panos Janet Panos on Dec 05, 2017

    Hello! A plexiglass or acrylic sheet is ideal for protecting your wood table. You can see right through it so your wood finish shows through beautifully. No need for coasters or tablecloths either. I have one on my beautiful wood kitchen table. It was a lot less expensive than glass. You can get one at your local Home store or order one online!

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 05, 2017

    non-yellowing polycrylic

  • Lynne Webb Lynne Webb on Dec 05, 2017

    My suggestion would be to 'paint' it with a clear polyurethane. It's pretty tough stuff and stood the test of time on dressing tables for my girls. The one thing that left it's mark was when one of them spilled nail polish remover! Took the poly right off. But on the plus side, for years they sat glasses of whatever they were drinking (coke/milk/tea) and all it took was a damp rag to make the shine come through again.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Dec 05, 2017

    I agree with all the votes for the clear polyurethane. My father refinished his mothers claw foot table in the early eighties and put a number of coats on it. I now have the table and it still looks like he just refinished it. Poly is very durable, I would say to still take care to put something under if you are putting something hot on it.

  • Ana Bacallao Ana Bacallao on Dec 05, 2017

    I used Polycrylic on my family room table and I pretty much do anything on it, from serving food to working on projects.



  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Dec 05, 2017

    Sure! Use a brush on waterproof sealer, or an epoxy. Some waxes say they are waterproof, but a hot coffee or tea cup can harm the wax surface. So to be safe get a waterproof and heatproof sealer—which leads us to a boat/marine sealer, about the strongest sealer you can get, except for baked on enamel or auto paints. You could buy an old kitchen enameled table and use that for games. 😇

  • Betsy Betsy on Nov 09, 2023

    Hi Janice: Try this: CrystaLac Extreme Protection Polyurethane is an interior NON-YELLOWING, Environmentally Safe Top Coat that is Super Hard, Super Clear and Super Easy to Use. It is Scratch, Chemical, and Water Resistant. It Self-Levels, has Low Odor, Low V.O.C. and cleans up easily with water. CrystaLac Extreme Protection POLYURETHANE (Non-Yellowing) (Water Based – The CrystaLac Store

  • Dee Dee on Nov 10, 2023

    You can also use Spar Urathane. It is good for Boats so it will waterproof your table.