Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/oak table refinish

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Expert: - 5/13/2009


Question

table top
an oak table top has been sanded to remove the finish.  the sides and legs will remain finished but we want the top to be white.  any ideas for undercoat and paint?

Answer
Hi Cliff, I wouldn't suggest paint, as it won't stand up well on a table top like this, and it's difficult to get a really smooth, hard finish with it. I would lacquer it, followed by a lacquer clear in the sheen you like (Satin, semi-Gloss). If you're not up to the challenge, you can probably find a local finisher/Restorer/Cabinet shop that would spray it for you for a nominal fee...they might offer lacquer or a urethane kitchen cabinet type finish which would look great and be quite durable. Behlen aerosols can be found here:

http://bg.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?BP=1

But if you've never done finishing like this I would suggest having a Pro do it...regards- Greg

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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