Expert: Jamie Yocono - 3/24/2009

Question
I have a newly build coffee table in walnut.  It will likely see it's share of coffee cups, drinks, etc.  I now have 2 coats of natural danish oil on it.  Can I, or should I, put polyurethane over the danish oil?

Answer
Hi John,

Yes, you can put polyurethane over oil, but you must let the oil cure first. How long? That's a good question! It really depends on the humidity in your area, and the temperature, but I think you'd be safe waiting a week or so. I live in the desert, so I can usually put poly over oil in 3-4 days, since it's so dry here.

Better safe than sorry - wait a week and you should be fine. Make sure if you coat the top, that you also coat the bottom. You need to treat both sides of the wood equally, or it can warp.

I'm a sucker for Walnut coffee tables, I think they're gorgeous.

Oh - one last thing - I like to apply a coat of wax at the very end of the finishing process. I use either Johnson's Paste wax or Minwax, but Watco also makes a liquid wax that is wonderful (and easier) to use. I highly recommend using a wax to complete your project.

Good luck finishing yours, it'll be a family heirloom someday!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com