Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/2/2007

Question
2 years ago we refinished our oak table top and painted the base and chairs.  The table was 15 years old and the top had been getting gummy.  Well we refinished it and the top does not have a real hard finish like I would like.  I have 3 small children and I need something that will survive them.  I am thinking of repainting the whole set a different color, but I would like that nice hard finish like when you buy it from the furniture store.  How do I get that?

Answer
Hi Denise
Nice to hear from you.
Denise the furniture you see in the stores has a lacquer finish.
You get that by takling it to a shop to be sprayed on.
And this would not be greatly expensive if its only the table top. You could take the base off for easy handling.
Personally I would not go this route but would use a poly finish.
Mary these products have come a long way in 15 years.
I have a poly finish on my kitchen table and I am very happy with it.
I have 4 grandchildren and three children.
Theres not a day goes by that someones not crafting, eating or doing all those things that generally cause havock in the kitchen on that table LOL
I used Minwax fast drying poly in a low luster. Its oil based. Highly recommend it.
Good Luck and great question.
Regards
Eileen