What's a good finish to use on my round oak table top?
I've had an unfinished oak table for over 30 years (photo isn't mine) and have always kept a table cloth on it. The pedestal base was finished way back when with tung oil. (Why the top is unfinished is a long story.) I have cats who have sat on the table over the years and have occasionally spit up on the cloth and that went thru to the unfinished table top before I started using a vinyl cloth to protect the it. I've bought a clear glass top for the table and now plan to sand the surface to remove the spots, put a suitable finish on it and then put the glass on top. I had planned to finish the top with tung oil but that would mean keeping the cats away from it for 2-3 days during the drying process. So, I'd rather use something much faster drying for the top that will blend in color with the tung oil. I thought about painting it but I like the oak look. What can you furniture finishers suggest that would look nice and dry quickly? Since the glass will sit on the top, whatever I use doesn't have to have protective qualities.
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When I refinish my bedroom furniture next spring I am moving it onto the patio where I can close the doors and keep my cats out.
But if I was you I would wait to refinish using tung oil because Tung oil dries faster in warm dry weather. This is because humidity and damp make it difficult for tung oil to dry and cure.
I would use some sort of urethane finish for protection. Personally, I prefer polyurethane for a tabletop, but it's not quick-drying. I used polycrylic on a table once (it is quick drying) but it wore off rather quickly and I had to refinish the table.
Just use a water based polyurethane. Three light coats should work. Use felt pads before putting on the glass. You can use Danish which dries faster than Tung oil.
tung oil is not to refinish a table that is like a protection to keep it from drying out-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j48Sf8nkCoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAF2wpD8fi4
Yes, felt pads between the table top and glass. Each coat of poly should dry in about an hour or two depending on the temperature. Apply with a synthetic or natural brush in the direction of the grain. Long sweeps and try not to work over what you have applied too much. A foam roller is good for oil based poly since it takes longer to dry. Water based poly dries faster and the roller can drag instead of roll and leave bubbles. A foam brush is good for small projects but not for large projects.
You could stain it
You could use a stain with sealer in one. I did that on my laundry room cabinets in this picture. It's Minwax and drying time wasn't too bad as I recall.
You would need to be really sure the table top is dry before putting a glass topper on it, I'd leave it alone much longer than the dry time suggested by the stain manufacturer. Can you move the table to a room where you can close the door so the cats can absolutely not get in there?
below is a link for fast drying stain. Your other option is to let whatever stain you use to cure properly is turn the table on its side for a few day so cats can't get on it. If you rush the project you will have to do it over.
https://solvesonic.com/dry-wood-stain-faster#:~:text=7%20Ways%20to%20Dry%20Wood%20Stain%20Faster%20%5BOil,5%20Ensuring%20Proper%20Ventilation.%20...%20More%20items...%20
i would chalk paint and decoupage on it to fit your decor
Try to match the wood in your house kitchen I have a similar table and chairs old refinished but the top was sanded,and we got a round piece of granit that sits on top now looks stunning
Poly base finish are the best
You can get fast dry or water-based stains. They come in a variety of different colors or probably also just a clear or natural which would match the tung oil.
Hi, Maybe a Clear or Antique Wax might do the trick for you or a gel stain?
I agree with staining it.