Surface finish for TV table?

[Tom Andersen]

Hi guys,

I just completed the TV table shown in the attached picture. It's made of Scandinavian birch (I actually milled it myself with an Alaskan saw). There is a shelf for the DVD player and recorder.

I am mostly leaning towards keeping the wood color. Which surface finish should I use? How about soap?

Thanks-
Tom

[Joe Chritz]

The standard answer for anything finish related is to make samples. There are some standards (some finishes are clear, some have an amber hue) but there really isn't a shortcut for samples.

An oil base finish will bring out the grain some, you can do the same with Boiled linseed oil then dewaxed shellac with a top coat of your choice. It depends on how much wear and tear it will take.

My standard two finishes are Waterlox and Target USL.

Joe

[Tom Andersen]

Thanks Joe,

We don't get the same brands in Sweden. From a search on the Internet, I believe that the Waterlox is a Tung Oil, and the Target USL is a water-based, semi-matt acrylic lacquer? Is that correct?

What do you think of using only shellac that is made matt with steel wool?

Regards
Tom

[Joe Chritz]

You are mostly correct. Waterlox is a wiping varnish made from a tung oil base, it isn't tung oil anymore. USL is a waterbase acrylic "lacquer". It isn't truly a lacquer but it does share a some of the same properties and sprays very similar to NC lacquer or pre-cat.

Shellac is a beautiful finish and is always a fine choice. It doesn't have the wear resistance or chemical resistance of a varnish or USL but it can be made exceptionally beautiful.

Homestead finishes has a section with a tutorial on rubbing out finishes and how to get the sheen you are looking for.

Joe