Finish for Dining Tabletop

[Dale Wallace]

Hello to everyone! I hope you like this tabletop I made for a family friend. I want to find a good durable finish for it since it will be used as a dining table. My friend specified she wants a Satin finish. Initially I was going to use Arm-R-Seal but since it has a drying time of 30 days I don't want to have her wait that long. I've used Walrus Oil and Odie's Oil in the past for a Satin look on other tables but I don't want to risk it on a dining table. I am thinking to get spray lacquer today and make a few tests. Any ideas or advices ?

 

[Jim DeLaney]

Behlen's "Rock Hard" tabletop finish. Not the easiest to apply, but once cured, it's name says it all. Super durable.

 

[fred hargis]

Nitrocellulose lacquer will certainly dry quickly, but in terms of durability it's not all that good. i think I'd stick to an oil based finish of some kind and bite the bullet on the cure time.

 

[Tom Niemi]

Behlen's "Rock Hard" tabletop finish. Not the easiest to apply, but once cured, it's name says it all. Super durable.

+1

 

[glenn bradley]

Behlen's "Rock Hard" tabletop finish. Not the easiest to apply, but once cured, it's name says it all. Super durable.

Jim, Ted and Tom . . . can you talk a little about what makes it problematic to use the Behlen's product? I've got a table coming up.

 

[Jay Caughron]

The table companys that were around here all used Sherwin Williams catalyzed lacquer (not pre-cad) on their Oak table tops and chairs. It is a good hard finish but clean up is VERY important

 

[larry merlau]

target coatings em9300

 

[Jim DeLaney]

Jim, Ted and Tom . . . can you talk a little about what makes it problematic to use the Behlen's product? I've got a table coming up.

I've only used the solvent-based one. The waterborne version may differ.
Drying time is hours long, so dust can be a problem. Cure is about 24~36 hours. Sanding between coats becomes necessary - both to break the gloss, and to remove any dust nibs.

I've uses 4 or 5 coats, brush applied. After it cures, it's pretty much impervious to ordinary dining room spills. Wear and tear resistance is great. I did one oak table about 25 years ago. It's since been moved across the country, used for more years, then given to my niece who'd still using it - and it still looks good!

Our current table was done about four years ago. Still looks like new.

 

[Jim DeLaney]

target coatings em9300

Perhaps. I'd use EM8000cv. My four year old coffee and end tables are holding up quite well.

 

[Dave Hawksford]

We use M.L.Camble Magna Max pre-cat. Fast drying and the best furniture lacquer on the market. You'll need to use there sanding sealer if you go that route.