Hi,
I have also posted this question in general questions appologies think it should have gone here…..in wood section
Could anyone give me some advice on my reclaimed pine dinning table & 6 chairs I have brought plz…
I brought this lovely reclaimed pine dining table and 6 chairs, about 2 years ago now, and I haven’t got a clue how to look after it and maintain its looks,,
I have tried to get info on it but had no luck,
we always use place mats and never put anything directly onto it as I am afraid it will mark or stain it, and I am always worrying that someone will spill something on it, (like beetroot or something greasy) we use it all the time and as its in the kitchen it is used just to sit at while we have a drink and chat other than mealtimes, so in all it is used a lot,
I usually just wipe it with a dry cloth but I have wiped it down a few times with a damp cloth as I was told by someone not to do this, but like anything used quite a bit it gets grubby, it hasn’t got any seal on it, I think it was most probably waxed when new(I think that’s what they treat them with) but when I brought it I didn’t think to ask about the maintenance of it, rather silly I know, so I have been trying to find out ever since, it is such a lovely chunky farmhousey table but is starting to look a bit worse for ware,..
what I thought might have to be done is washing down with something not quite sure what though, then sanding it down (with a fine grade ) or wire wool and sealing it with some sort of light varnish, but I am just guessing at this, I really do need a bit of help on this as I don’t want to spoil the natural look of it with a varnished look, but the waxing isn’t really practical,
any help would be gratefully received,
thanks cat
Replies
Clean it with mineral spirits and allow to dry for a day or more.
Then coat with a hard paste wax that is made for wood. Minwax makes one, as do many other companies.
Repeat the process a couple of times a year, and you'll be fine.
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Catt,
It really depends upon what you want in the long run. Personally, I was never a fan of the old ratty pine look until I was lead into a 1640's farmhouse kitchen that was full of the stuff...wow, the character and warmth was overwhelming.
My current kitchen table has all the markings of raising three kids; a few stains, grubby legs, some homework numbers and words on the table top from fingers that pushed the pencil too hard. If I put anything except a soapy sponge and maybe a little wax on this table I'd be heading for the hills shortly afterwards screaming for mercy...:)
You need to use your table as you want to and not be afraid of it. ;o)
The chances are your table has a wax "finish" on it--which is really no finish at all, but can be very very attractive on this style of furniture. (I covet your table!!) You can wipe it with a wet cloth quite well.
If you leave a wet glass on it you may get a white mark.
If it needs renewing do wipe it down well with mineral spirits to clean and then re-wax. I would get Bri-wax or even Johnson's paste wax to do it. Put it on and then buff well. These have a high content of canauba wax which is quite hard.
If you ever decide on a more durable finish then it will need to be really well cleaned before applying a varnish. It seems to be serving you well as it is however so just clean as you need to and re-wax.
Hi,
thank you for that, I love my table and was just a bit scared that i will ruin it by not looking after it properly, so i think i will give it a good wipe with the mineral spirit, well firstly i best ask you what mineral spirit is??? is it the same as white spirit, and then i will re wax it ...I think it must be well over due, thank you again carol
I made a pine table not to long ago and put two coats of danish oil on it (linseed/poly mix) then a light coat of wax and it looks great. Its an easy renewable finish that offers good water protection (if wiped up sooner than later) and the pine realy shines thru!
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