Replies

1. 
   ndmatt | Jan 16, 2010 09:59pm | #1

   Why not varnish? A good quality varnish will do a great job protecting the table from the abuses you'll be throwing at it. I'd apply at least 2 or 3 coats to ensure you've built up a protective film.

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 17, 2010 01:39am | #2

   Yes, varnish makes a good choice--the most durable of the finishes uusable without commercial spray facilities. You can consider applying the varnish as a wiping varnish if you please. It takes more coats (about three wiped on coats is equivalent to one only slightly thinned brushed on coat) but many find they have fewer problems with the application.

   For absolute toughness, phenolic resin varnishes are tops. (Waterlox, Behlen Rockhard) but relatively dark and subject to yellowing over time, mostly a problem over light woods. For varnish which is lighter in color with less yellowing over time, alkyd resin varnishes made using soya oil are good (examples are Pratt & Lambert 38, or Cabot Varnish (8000 series, or the low VOC 18000 series.)

3. 
   oldusty | Jan 17, 2010 10:51am | #3

   Lostcreek ,
   You don't
   Lostcreek ,

   You don't say if you are equipped to spray or how you will apply .

   A Post Catalyzed finish is bullet proof Sherwin Williams is one source .

   Similar may be available as Steve said either brushing or wiping conversion Varnish type .

4. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 17, 2010 05:56pm | #4

   Best Finish for Kitchen Table..

   I would say Chicken Soup and olive oil wiped off with warm soap and water..

1. 
   Westchester | Jan 18, 2010 02:50pm | #5

   I've used - Man O War Spar
   I've used - Man O War Spar Varnish - on bar tops - with good results.

   SA

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 18, 2010 03:31pm | #6

   I'm not too fond of spar
   I'm not too fond of spar varnish for table tops. It's actually formulated for flexibility (spars on boats flex), and exterior applications have more extreme changes in humidity requiring more give with the varnish. But oddly enough spar varnish is less, not more water resistant than typical interior varnishes, and of more importance, it is somewhat softer and less tough.

5. 
   sapwood | Jan 18, 2010 07:26pm | #7

   It sounds like you will be making bread and perhaps pastry dough on this surface. Light cutting often accompanies such activity. If so, a film finish might not be the best. An in the wood oil/varnish finish might be better.

1. 
   Gretchen | Jan 18, 2010 09:09pm | #8

   Cutting on a table top should NEVER be an option. And an oil varnish mix for a finish should not be an option for kitchen table either.

   A table/platform/cutting board is either a table or it is a cutting board. If it is a cutting board, it should be finishied and used as one--with mineral spirits.

   BUT a kitchen table can more than adequately be finished for hard use. Cutting is NOT hard use--it is ABUSE.

   Just a cook's point of view.

1. 
   zolton | Jan 19, 2010 10:52am | #9

   Gretchen,
   I'm pretty sure
   Gretchen,

   I'm pretty sure you meant to say mineral oil rather than mineral spirits for a finish for a cutting board, eh?

   I'd add that Forest Products Laboratory says that melting paraffin wax onto the surface and then scraping off the excess makes for a good cutting board treatment.

   The wax wouldn't be a good tabletop finish. But for a cutting board I could see the benefits.

   Zolton