Looking for some advice here from the experienced finishers.
I'm using a reclaimed "butcher block" table top for the top of a desk for my teen granddaughter. The original table had some damage so I cut it lengthwise into sections, discarding the badly damaged areas. Then I jointed and planed the remainder and glued it back up. The result, so far, is pictured here:
IMG_1161.jpg
For finishing, I'd like to stain it, fill the grain, and top coat it. I like using gel stains, I have some Aqua Coat, and Arm-R-Seal. Need some assistance with the finishing sequence. Here's my preliminary plan:
- Sand through the grits to 180.
- Wash coat with 50% SealCoat shellac
- Sand with320 or 400 to knock off the nibs
- Stain with gel stain
- Seal again with 50% SealCoat
- Sand again with320 or 400 to knock off the nibs
- Grain fill with Aqua Coat - 2 or 3 coats as needed
- Very lightly sand after each coat of Aqua Coat
- Top coat with 2 or 3 coats of Arm-R-Seal
Does this sound reasonable?
Do I need the first shellac coat (before the stain)? If it won't hurt, I'll do it, but I'm guessing it's not needed with gel stain. But, I think I should do it on the ends of the top which is all end grain to keep them from getting too dark.
Do I need the second shellac coat and should it be full strength rather than 50% cut?
I plan to finish both sides of the top the same way except omitting the grain filling on the bottom (since it's not a writing surface).
Appreciate any help you folks can give - finshing has never been a strong point of mine.