French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
Utilize Tablecloths Linen or cotton tablecloths are an inexpensive way to protect your table from scratches and sun damage, while simultaneously adding a touch of elegance to your home. However, even with a tablecloth, coasters will have to be used, especially for hot pans or dishes.
Varnishes offer much better protection , and the toughest of them is polyurethane. Polyurethane varnish is oil-based, so it may be applied with a natural or a synthetic brush. Before applying it, wipe off the surface with a tack cloth.
Buy something like felt pads/buttons to put on the bottoms of things like candlesticks, centerpieces, etc. Use placemats you like to minimize wear and scratching from dishware ( make sure you do not trap particles that can scratch between the placemats and table surface) and serving pieces.
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
To determine its scratch resistance , for example, you can buy art pencils (e.g., HB, 2B, 3B) and attempt to make tiny scratches in the finish. 3 Answers Oil-based finishes (e.g., tung oil, boiled linseed oil). Lacquer. Shellac. Water-based polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethane. Two part epoxy.
How to prevent scratches in your hardwood flooring Take off your shoes! Add entry mats at the door. Add felt pads to the furniture, and get extras. Avoid chairs with rollers. Clean regularly to get the dirt/grit up. Avoid spiky shoes, stilettos, and cleats. Consider area rugs for areas where chairs are moved often.
An occasional waxing can help protect varnished wood furniture from dust, dirt and moisture. Paste wax is a semi-solid wood furniture preserver. It creates a protective shell over a piece of furniture’s original finish. Paste wax is an excellent choice for antique furniture preservation .
As a general rule, furniture that has oil -and-wax finishes or stain-and-wax finishes should be oiled once or twice a year, or whenever the wood looks particularly dry.
LACQUER
Go with Polyurethane There are lots of clear finishes. But for a combination of usability and durability, you can’t beat polyurethane . Oil -based poly, which dries slower than water -based, is best for beginners because it allows more working time.
Oak is one of the most durable of commonly used woods for dining furniture. With a wide and open grain , it holds up especially well to surface scratches and can very easily be sanded and refinished.
Using Trivets Trivets are wooden objects that are placed between the dining table and the serving dish and are great in protecting your table from damage by heat . Rather than placing the hot serving dish on the surface of your dining table while serving your meals, you can place it on the trivet instead.
Varnish coats the wood with a durable, hard finish while oil penetrates the wood . Wax is in many ways an in-between in that it both coats and penetrates but to a lesser extent than oil. Oil and wax are often used in combination.
Other Tips For Cleaning & Protecting a Wood Table Dust your wood table often. Small particles of dust may seem harmless, but enough buildup can scratch the wood’s finish. Use vinegar and oil to get water rings out of your wooden table . Keep it away from the radiator. Watch humidity levels. Make your wood table shine.
Natural wood finishes have been used for centuries and are making a comeback as more homeowners and builders look to use natural, non-toxic products. Look for water-based, oil -based, wax -based, and shellac wood finishes as they contain low to no VOCs and come from renewable sources.