Sealing your outdoor wood tabletop is a must if you are planning on using it regularly. This is especially true if you are using it as a countertop or a desktop. Luckily, sealing a wood tabletop doesn’t have to be too difficult. In this article, we will be going over some of the tips to do so.
Best Way To Seal A Wood Tabletop:
1. Sand it
If you are going to be applying anything for protection on your wood, you will want to begin the process by giving it a good sanding. Sanding the wood is a must because you will need to prep the wood to be able to take on the finish you are using. This way, you can maximize the absorption of the singing and it will enable you to even out the wood in its entirety. The best way to sand a wood tabletop would be by using an orbital sander device. That way, you can ensure that everything gets evenly sanded. It also makes it very easy to sand everything. If needed, you can always use individual sandpaper and do it manually. It’s not very difficult to do and it will give you the same kind of results as long as you are willing to put in the work to get it done.
2. Make sure you have a place for it to dry
One of the most common mistakes we see being made by people who are looking to seal a wood tabletop is not having a good and dedicated place for the wood to dry. The wood isn’t going to dry instantly. While you can find protective options that will have minimal drying times, it is still going to take a little bit for it to dry. You don’t want to disturb the wood or have anything getting on the wood during the drying process. Therefore, you should try to get rid of excess dust before getting started. This way, you can avoid having particles fall on the wood during the drying stage.
Best Protective Sealing Options:
Oils
One of the best things you can use to seal a wood tabletop would be various types of oil. Oil is typically the way to go when it comes to sealing your wood and protecting it because it will provide greater levels of protection than water-based alternatives. You will be able to find all kinds of wood oils that you can use for ample protection including tung oil and even oil-based polyurethane. Both of these are excellent ways to seal your wood tabletop and would be recommended options if you are trying to do so. One of the downsides of using oil-based options to seal your tabletop would be the long drying times. However, as long as you are willing to wait the respective time needed to seal it, you should be able to get the best results from it. Another benefit of using oil is the ability to add a darker shade to your wood if you want. By applying more coats and by leaving the oil on longer without wiping, you can get it as dark as you want it.
Sealant
Choosing the right wood sealant is a great way to ensure that your outdoor wood pieces are not destroyed.
Wax
Another good option to consider would be wax. Wax can be a good way to seal the wood that you are looking to protect because it will help to block the pores from absorbing moisture. This can be a great option if you are planning on using something as a countertop in the kitchen because it creates a protective layer on top of the wood which can minimize moisture damage. Thus, it will work to repel spills if you happen to spill anything on it. Another good thing about wax is the ease of application. It’s one of the easiest coats you can apply to your wood and it can help to provide a good amount of protection to it.
Overall, sealing your wood is a crucial part of the process if you are looking to protect the new wood that you just bought for a tabletop. By using the process above and by picking the right stains and sealants for your wood, you should be able to come to a result that you are completely satisfied with.
