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 Post subject: Re-finishing Question
PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:16 pm 
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Location: Lewes, Delaware, USA
I have a client that has a modern white oak table that has always been unfinished.

It was waxed on bare wood upon installation, but now she wants it to be poly'd. I am sanding it down as much as possible, but is there a chemical way to remove any residual wax or food oil that may remain?

Thank you,
Darryl


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:48 pm 
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Location: Rochester MN USA
DDD: What do you think about using a fine grade woven abrasive pad and either naphtha or turps/mineral spirits? Scrub the surface while flooded with solvent and blot up with LOTs of clean dry rags, towels, paper towels etc. Then repeat til happy. Dispose of or clean up the rags etc so no self combust. Just a quick thought off the top of my head, HTH.

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:14 pm 
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Location: Sacramento, CA
I don't think you'll be able to eliminate all of the wax with the pore structure of oak.

Then again, who knows how much residual wax would be a problem.

What about putting a coat or two of shellac down first. Then the Poly for protection?

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:22 pm 
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I thought about the shellac, and I am thinking it is the only way to go...unless someone has another possibility.

This table is massive. 12'6" long by 5' wide by 1 1/2" thick. Oval shape but still huge.

Thanks for any and all suggestions,
Darryl


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:14 pm 
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Location: Rolling Meadows, IL. USA
Danish oil seems to stick to most woods even very oily woods it might be a good bet.

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