I am making a 48″ round kitchen table using red elm for bent lamination legs and a solid top. What finish would you suggest given that the table will be heavily used. I need the most durable finish which is less prone to scratches and will handle dripping water glasses, and repeated wiping. A easily reparable finish would be best. I was thinking of a wipe-on polyurethane finish but wonder if this is the best or you can suggest something better.What brand of whatever finish you suggest is best? I usually wax my furniture but thought I would not wax this piece because of the problem with water–is this correct?
Warm best wishes,
Adam Fisher
Replies
Dear Adam,
Given all of the caveats you enumerate I think poly is the way to go! I do not have any brand recommendation because I rarely use this type of finish. I am typing at a computer desk that I built about a year ago and had the same finishing caveats. I simply brushed on a polyurethane varnish from the local hardware (I think it was Sherwin Willians) and it looks good and has held up beautifully. Neither India ink, nor glue, nor coffee, nor straight Scotch whiskey has yet impaired this finish. As you suggest I would avoid wax. I actually never wax my furniture as it makes repair that much more tedious and white rings, even on shellac, are mostly from wax on the finish.
With best regards,
Ernie
Thanks for your help--I hope your treated yourself to very good Scotch.
Adam
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