Replies

1. 
   Charlie_Frnka | Aug 15, 2001 01:56am | #1

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   I just made a little end table (to go on the porch) out of an old desk top. I think it's ash. It won't get any direct sunlight and only a blowing rain will ever get it wet. Was planning on 4 or 5 coats of Watco Natural initially and then maybe re-coating it ever so often. Will this be sufficient.

   I made an oak threshold and put spar varnish on it. Would hate to have to put anything that "shiny" on the table.

   Thanks,
   Charlie

1. 
   Danford_C._Jennings | Aug 15, 2001 04:27am | #2

   *Charlie,If it were me, I would use either Interlux or Epifanes spar varnish. If you want a satin finish wet sand with 600 grit silicon carbide paper, for a semi gloss use 1200 grit. For more info click on this: "Finish for Outdoor Projects - Recommendations"Dano

1. 
   Charlie_Frnka | Aug 15, 2001 03:05pm | #3

   *Wet sand the spar varnish? Using what for the "wet" - mineral spirits?Also, I wasn't sure how a varnish would look on worm holes. The beetles got to this so badly that I wasn't sure it was ash because the boards were so light in weight.This wood started out as an oak desk. My cousin said it was her dad's, and he left it sitting out in a open garage for years. All I could salvage out of it was the lumber core to the plywood top. It was random width 5/4 ash with a little tongue and groove joint between each board. What was weird is that although the top was square, the individual boards were tapered. I couldn't get a rip from either edge to follow one of their gluelines.Charlie

1. 
   Danford_C._Jennings | Aug 15, 2001 04:30pm | #4

   *Charlie,Yes, wet sand the varnish. Using water for the "wet".Since you didn't mention the fact that the wood was/is infested with boring beetles before, how was I to know? Personally, I wouldn't use the wood at all.Dano

1. 
   Charlie_Frnka | Aug 15, 2001 04:49pm | #5

   *My wife likes the worm holes. I was disappointed that I couldn't get more than 1 end table out of the whole desk, but I guess that's better than the whole thing ending up at the dump.Thanks for the info on the spar varnish.Charlie