Help! Have to Start over on my table

13 years ago

I think I am going to have to start over with my dining table.

I applied the Helmsman Spar urethane in 3 coats, sanding between.

looked pretty

After I corrected the trouble with the first coat turning white the table starting looking great

But when I was done with 4 coats my husband said that when you look at the finish sideways it looks like some of it taking it up more than other areas.

so I applied one more coat and some spots were bumpy which I tried to sand.

It got scratched all over!

So of course .. it's ruined!!

There were lots of curse words and it wasn't pretty.

My plan is to sand it back down to bare wood.

What sand paper numbers for my rotary sander (goes in circles)

Also most importantly

What can I brush on that I can get at lowes or home depot?

In CA .. don't want to buy anything special order on the internet.

I want to Paint it on. don't want to spray it on.

don't have a sprayer

Needs to stand up to daily abuse as this table will be used for homeschooling my 7 year old.

He will be using the table to write directly on it. Well on a paper but the finish needs to not leave pencil indentations.

What is the EASIEST and the most Durable to get at lowes or a place like that.

please no high tech suggestions.

Also what number of sandpapers to use.

The Easiest least steps the better LOL..

the wood is hard (not soft)

Not sure of the type. possibly *Possibly red oak*

Oh I want Clear finish.. am not staining it.

The wood has red tones, some small and few streaks of gray.

It has wide swaths of the red tones And wide swaths of a blond wood too.

tiny spots even look maroon. It has some knots in it.

a few areas have like specks in the grain near the edges of the table.

the wood is planks and Very pretty.

It looked gorgeous with the spar urethane on it and so I plan on just doing clear again.

Thanks in advance, Loretta

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Comments (3)

someone2010
13 years ago
You have unrealistic expectations for any finish. What you want does not exist.
User
13 years ago
First, calm down.

Second, do not sand, use a stripper. The orange 'non toxic' kind. Maybe twice.

Then use 150 grit sandpaper GENTLY---that surface may just be a laminate.

Once you have gotten all(most) of the old finish off and sanded, let the table sit for a day or so.

Buy a quart of varnish at a real paint store. I included an example. You simply cannot get reliably fresh decent wood finishes at a home improvement store.

Read and follow the instructions. With one exception. Get a small diameter roller, the thinnest nap possible(paint store has those). Apply the varnish with a roller instead of a brush. Do not run the roller over any area more than three times. The varnish will self level if done properly.

Wait a day. I know the can says recoat sooner. Use a hand sanding block and 220 grit sand paper to lightly hand sand---in the same direction as the grain----just to knock off the curlies and nibs.

Wipe with a damp rag(water).

Apply another coat of varnish.

Repeat again if desired.

Once the surface is to your liking, go over it with 0000 steel wool to knock off the curlies/nibs.

Wax with a good PASTE wax. Do NOT use Pledge/etc.!!!!!!!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: SW Classic
lorriekay
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you Handymac for taking the time to thoughtfully respond.

I am going to follow your suggestions .. we have a Sherwin Williams nearby.

I see you are from Kansas. I homeschool my son and we are study Biomes right now, specifically Prairies and reading a book set in Kansas called

Sarah Plain and Tall

Yesterday we were looking at Kansas pics on the internet (including tornadoes) and prairies full of wildflowers.

So it's fitting that help should come from Kansas..

Thanks so much!

Loretta