Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: Eileen, I recently purchased a new oak dining table. (Amish made) I would like to recoat the top to make it waterproof.What steps co I need to take to prepare the existing finish and what is the best product to refinish with? (Spar varnish has been recommended to me.)

ANSWER: Hi Joe
Nice to hear from you.
Under no circumstances use spar varnish on your lovely Amish table...been there tried it, ended up stripping the entire top and used the correct stuff.
Minwax fast drying poly in a semi luster.
Three coats with gentle sanding between.
Now Joe having said my piece, the only problem I see is we do not know what the existing finish is...or do you?
It will be either lacquer or a poly.
Get a small tin of lacquer thinners and moisten a rag with it.
Rub a spot for a few minutes. Rub under the table edge where there should be existing finish and it won't do any harm.
If its lacquer it will soften very soon.
Poly will not.
If this was an old finish I could advise you, but with a newly finished table we must know.
And a question back to you Joe if you don't mind.
If the Amish put a finish on the table, what leads you to believe it is not waterproof?
Get back to me.
Regards
Eileen



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

QUESTION: Eileen, Thanks for the response. Good answer! I'm uncertain whether or not the original finish is or isn't "waterproof" How do you recommend that I test this finish? I don't want to end up with water rings & the like. Hope to hear back soon. Thanks

Answer
Hi again Joe
So glad you got back to me. This topic was going through my mind all day.
Joe I am not going out on a limb here when I say that I am 99.9% sure this new table made by the Anish will have a waterproof finish.
Now any waterproof finish can be abused. For instance a flower pot left over time on any finish will destroy it.
But sitting a wet glass on the same finish while you are eating for instance will not hurt it because it will shortly be removed.
As to your question about testing, well truly there is no way until liquid and the table meet LOL... liquid will not penetrate a sound finish.
But I certainly understand your concern on this.
How well I remember Gramas fancy dining table that was used only at Christmas. She used big pads underneath the cloth to protect the top. But you certainly do not need to go that far.
Just wipe up any liquid that gets spilled as soon as possible and rest assured the finish can handle it.
Regards
Eileen