How To Seal A Wood Table Top: 4 Best Ways Of Sealing A Wood Table Top

4 Best Ways Of Sealing A Wood Table Top

A properly sealed or finished wood table will last for generations to come, yet the tabletop is vulnerable to scratching, scraping as well as moisture. Sealing the tabletop will need a tough as well as a transparent water-resistant coating which will highlight the beauty of the wood beneath. The best options or ways for sealing a wood tabletop are mentioned below:

Way 1: Tung Oil

Almost all the woodworkers value a tung oil finish and this is because it adds subtle visual warmth on the wood which does not become darker as it ages. The best way to apply the tung oil is by rubbing it into the surface with the help of a wiping cloth. It will only take 2 or 3 coats to sufficiently protect the legs of the table, but the user will need to apply 6 coats on the tabletop in order to make it a water-resistant sealer coat.

Way 2: Shellac

The shellac is actually a penetrating varnish that has been used on American tabletops. A shellac finish allows viewing all the wood detail with clarity. Amber shellac gives the same clarity but it will also add warmth to light-colored woods like pine or oak. The shellac finish can be applied simply by brush or wiping cloth, and only the 3 thin coats will serve as a moisture-resistant sealer. As a sealant coat, it is perfectly adequate for tabletops, but here the user needs to remember that it may not be sufficiently water-resistant for a dinner table where liquids might be spilled.

Way 3: Polyurethane

The oil-based polyurethane varnishes form a transparent film over the wooden surfaces and will also protect them against the dents as well as scratches, besides that it will also provide a moisture-resistant barrier. Polyurethane varnishes are good sealants for wooden dinner tables or for the gaming tables because they block all the spilled water, milk, greasy food, as well as all the alcoholic beverages from seeping into the wood beneath. The downside of this finish is that the coating may form a cloudy or plastic-looking film on the wooden surface that can become yellow as it ages. Besides, the newly-applied polyurethane has the aromatic solvents that may pollute the indoor air.

Way 4: Carnuba Wax

The carnuba wax is a wax that can be applied directly to the unfinished wood and works as a protective sealer coat, it will block the moisture and will serve as a barrier coat for any spills for a short duration. It is much more effective when used as a furniture polish but in combination with a shellac finish or with other thin varnishes. It is usually rubbed onto the tabletop in the paste form, where it combines with the base coat of varnish and also improves its water resistance capability.