Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Eileen


I just bought a walnut desk and a set of redwood dining set from someone
who is moving so I got it at a very good price.

I love the walnut desk.   It has been neglected for years and I immediately put
two coats of lemon oil on it.   I am thinking of using it as a writing desk.   Can
I put something on the surface to protect it from normal office use.   
Hopefully I can put a warm cup of coffee on it.   The table top already got a
few coffee stains from previous owner.

Second I must be watching too much HGTV and find that a Chinese style
redwood dining set looks so good in white.   It has an asian influence with
updated color.   The present redwood color can't go with anything in our
living and dining room.   So what kind of paint should I apply on it - oil base
or water base?   For normal dining room use, should I apply varnish or lacka
to protect it?    Normally would I paint the bottom of the table white too?

Thanks

Harvey

ANSWER: Hi Harvey
Nice to hear from you.
A poly finish will not mark with a warm coffee cup but in order to apply this finish now, the top will need to be stripped of all existing finish, restained, and 3 coats of poly applied.
If the top of the desk is already marred, you may consider this.
Not a hard job at all.
Unfortunately poly or any finish will need to be protected from writing.
If you place a paper on the desk then write on it, the pen will indent the finish. (you will see everything you write in the finish).
So what about a piece of plexi glass over the top of the desk.
Real glass is OK too but you'll always be worrying about breaking it and it will cost a bit.
The table will be a great project.
First of course you will need to lightly sand everything.
Next a coat of white water based primer like Kilzs..sp?
Then 2 coats of water based enamel paint.
Personally I would use a semi gloss as a gloss would show every finger mark.
You could apply a coat of water based poly over the white if you feel it will wear better, but its your choice.
By the bottom of the table I take it you mean underneath the table top?
There is no need to paint this area.
You will probably note the table has no finish there at present.
You raise a good point though as we often hear wood should be finished on all sides to prevent warpage. This certainly applies to doors but table tops are well secured to prevent this.
But please take note of the current finish method.
If its currently finished on the under areas, then paint them as I have no idea of the tables construction.
Get back to me if I've forgotten something.
Regards
Eileen




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry Eileen

What is poly finish refer to?   A polyurathine varnish?

Thanks

Harvey

Answer
Hi again Harvey
Yes correct.
And poly can be water based or oil based...confusing I know.
And I get confused too LOL.
To me varnish and poly are totally different things but I hear folks refer to varnish as poly.
Perhaps they have the same components but I never got into the details. I just open the can and use it...let someone else worry about how its made LOL.
Regards
Eileen