Preserving Wooden Table

petedln · Post by **petedln** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 3:01 pm

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if someone with a little more expertise could give me some pointers on staining and preserving a large, wooden, outdoor table.

I'm afraid I have no idea what kind of wood it is. It is left outside in the sun from March to October and then a spends the Winter in a barn. The original coating lasted about three years. I then sanded and painted it (with what I don't remember...) about two years ago. Now I have had to sand it all again as it was looking ropey after two years.

Just to clarify my main objection is that it looks decent and lasts that way as long as possible (this is basically a job I somehow get stuck with by my in-laws and I don't want to be doing it every two years).

Should I be oiling the wood before staining? What kind of stain/varnish should I use? I will also cover it whilst it spends future Winters in barns, but I think the majority of the deterioration comes from being out in the sun and extremely frequent use etc.

I have attached a picture of the sanded table in case it helps in some way...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 3:34 pm

I would say that it doesn't need oiling AND staining, one or the other. Staining may start to flake off after a couple of years, so maybe oil, you can get aerosols, useful for a small job.

Have a read of this, there's loads of information on the interweb:
https://osmouk.com/faq/how-to-protect-o ... furniture/

After some research a month or two ago, I ordered 5 litres of Roxil Wood Protection Liquid (on A-zon), I've pressure washed the furniture but not yet applied the treatment - you put it on with a pressure sprayer. I've got eight folding chairs & two tables, with lots of nooks & crannies, to do when the weather warms up.

petedln · Post by **petedln** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 5:45 pm

Thanks for the info! Okay, looks like oiling is the way to go. Thanks again!

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 5:53 pm

Just a point in that it will be a patchy finish. You can never sand back the previous finish that has sunk into the grain. Although an oil finish will protect the wood it will emphasise the black patches you can see. A uniform finish can only be achieved with a coloured finish like Sadolin, which may not be what you want.

DWD

petedln · Post by **petedln** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 7:25 pm

Ah, okay, that's good to know. I don't know if you can see on the picture but there are already a few dark patches deep in the grain... will oiling emphasise these even more so?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 8:02 pm

I would say yes, wipe some water on an area to give you an idea of what an oiled finish will give. The thing about Sadolin is that it has the colour suspended in it and that tends to give a uniform colour all over. But it might not be your choice have a read https://www.sadolin.co.uk/products/sado ... rotection/ some of the bright colours may work well if you might like a more modern look.

DWD

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Thu Mar 10, 2022 8:31 pm

In the link I posted, Osmo (other brands are available) do oils in colours (tints), so choosing a darker one will disguise the marks mentioned - but are they really a worry? You're looking for treatment, protection & longevity, not pretty colours . Pressure washing mine was a 500% improvement, one reason why not yet applied the treatment.