Help! How to make wood waterproof
JosephsWoodWorking
| Posted in General Discussion on
I recently bought a walnut wood catchall from a woodworker who sealed the tray with a flaxseed/beeswax sealant and possibly a poly as well. He says he did not use any dye or stain on the tray at all, however, when the tray got a little wet, it put a dark blackish stain on the marble it was sitting on. No good. Still working on getting the stain out. I’d really like to be able to use the tray, but I am afraid to sit it on the marble until/unless I know it will not cause a stain if it gets wet. I’m hoping I can seal it with something myself so I can use it without worry. Any input appreciated!
Replies
Wood can become waterproof with special treatments. Wood is porous, so it absorbs water and, when it does, the wood expands and warps causing structural problems. While no wood is completely waterproof, a few species of wood resist water better than others, and some paints and sealers make wood waterproof.
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First, you can't make wood waterproof. But that's not the issue here.
It wasn't the walnut that made the stain on your marble, it was the oil and wax used as a finish. Both are very soft. The flaxseed oil takes a very long time to dry. And, marble is porous and absorptive.
You could try putting some felt on the bottom of your catchall, and see if that stops the oil and wax from migrating. I would probably sand just the bottom, add a couple of thin coats of Zinsser Sealcoat, and a coat or two of water based poly.
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