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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Teak dining table (indoor)

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Expert: - 10/1/2009


Question
QUESTION: Hi Greg,
I just purchased a teak dining table that supposedly is about 30 years old.  It appears to be in good shape.  There is no finish on it.  How do I maintain it?  Do I use teak oil or some sort of polish?  The previous owner did not think that his mom did anything with it but he is not sure.
Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Kim, I would use an oil finish on it, I like WaterLox, but Watco Danish oil is a good choice as well, and it's available in colors if you want to add a little richness to the finish.(the darker browns...) Wipe the whole top down with mineral spirits and see if it looks even and acceptable. That's what the oil will make it look like. If there are marks, discolored spots, etc, then a sanding and/or stripping might be in order....These couldn't be easier to apply, just read and follow ALL the directions and cautions on the can, and you're on your way to a beautiful finish. Make sure to allow overnight drying between coats, and you can put a fan on the piece to help dry it. Post back if need be- regards- Greg

http://www.waterlox.com/desktopmodules/fathomecom/catalog/category.aspx?tabid=42

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=46



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

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick answer, Greg.  Just to make sure...you would suggest putting a finish on the table instead of just the teak oil?  I don't know a thing about teak tables, but many I have seen on Ebay look shiny so I assume the oil finish will do.  Thank you again!
Kim

Answer
Kim, these oil finishes are a finish. They contain resins, penolics, and other ingredients that penetrate the wood and harden from within, not sitting on top of the wood like a surface finish.Please visit the Waterlox site and read about them- regards - Greg

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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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