DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

We have a six-seater farmhouse table that's currently painted all white and looking like it's in need of a new lease of life. We're wanting to sand down and return the table top to its natural pine and stain it, and have the rest recoated with a fresh coat of white.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to whether I should varnish, oil or wax the table top? I enquired about this at a local pine factory and was told to use wax on it, but just trying to gauge what would give the best overall finish.

Thanks for any help or advice.

Cheers,
Simon

Hi, I waxed my pine dining table, and while it gives a nice mellow finish, it takes a lot of upkeep, and is easily stained. I have to be careful to use coasters and placemats. Any water or oil left on it will mark. I have also used Fiddes Hard Wax Oil on a reclaimed pitch pine worktop and also a small mahogany table top which I stripped and use in my kitchen, and it has given a hardwearing, satin finish, which so far has proven quite durable. It doesn't look hard or unnatural either. I've used Danish oil on a reclaimed teak worktop, and that is quite hardwearing too, but I don't know how that would affect the look of the pine. It may make it look quite yellow. Out of the three, I would go with the Fiddes myself. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly consider using the Fiddes hard wax oil.

Cheers,
Simon

Glad I could help