John Post on mon 14 jun 10
In my art room I have some large tables that have a top surface that
resembles a butcher block. The varnish on them is starting to wear
off after 5 or 6 years of daily washing to get the clay and paint off
of them.
I am looking for the best way to refinish them. My plan was to just
take a belt sander to their tops and then re-varnish them. Of course,
sometimes on clayart someone asks a simple a question and gets a bunch
of great suggestions on how to approach the problem that I never
thought of, so that's why I'm tossing this question out here.
Thanks,
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
:: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
:: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
:: youtube channel :: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPostArtTeacher
Larry Kruzan on tue 15 jun 10
Hi John,
Depending on what wood species the tabletop is made from, you might do well
to just sand them and leave them bare. I have a white oak table that I do
hand building on - it is bare wood - white oak is very tolerant on moisture=
.
Don't try that with Red oak or you'll be replacing the top.
As has already been suggested, a canvas top is very nice to work on as well=
,
but I wonder how canvas would hold up in a school. If you try it, please
keep us informed. I have some narrow ware boards that I have wrapped in
canvas - we use these for students hand building small projects
If you decide that a varnish is best, I would recommend a product called
"Rock Hard Tabletop Varnish" by Behlends (sp???) finishes. It is one of
those products that is a "pro" class finish, so it will be harder to find
and you absolutely must follow directions. I allow double the drying time
and if you see that you will need a second coat, it must be applied in the
time window indicated in the directions. It will give you a bullet proof
glossy surface.
Back in my woodworking days, we used it on worktables at a jr. college
woodworking studio 10 years ago - they still are in very good condition.
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of John Post
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 10:20 PM
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Recommendation for best way to refinish art room tables
In my art room I have some large tables that have a top surface that
resembles a butcher block. The varnish on them is starting to wear
off after 5 or 6 years of daily washing to get the clay and paint off
of them.
I am looking for the best way to refinish them. My plan was to just
take a belt sander to their tops and then re-varnish them. Of course,
sometimes on clayart someone asks a simple a question and gets a bunch
of great suggestions on how to approach the problem that I never
thought of, so that's why I'm tossing this question out here.
Thanks,
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
:: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
:: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
:: youtube channel :: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPostArtTeacher
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steve hoffman on tue 15 jun 10
John, I went to a fabric shop and purchased some heavy fabric to staple to
my tables.
On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 11:19 PM, John Post wrot=
e:
> In my art room I have some large tables that have a top surface that
> resembles a butcher block. The varnish on them is starting to wear
> off after 5 or 6 years of daily washing to get the clay and paint off
> of them.
>
> I am looking for the best way to refinish them. My plan was to just
> take a belt sander to their tops and then re-varnish them. Of course,
> sometimes on clayart someone asks a simple a question and gets a bunch
> of great suggestions on how to approach the problem that I never
> thought of, so that's why I'm tossing this question out here.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Post
> Sterling Heights, Michigan
>
> :: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
> :: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
> :: youtube channel :: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPostArtTeacher
>
Lori Leary on wed 16 jun 10
John,
I had a large table at my studio in Pawleys Island, way back when. I
took a large piece of canvas, hemmed it, and applied grommets all around
the edges. I dampened the canvas, then put it on the table and
tightened it with rope inserted through the grommets. As it dried, it
tightened even more. This worked very well, and I was able to remove it
for cleaning. I usually prefer a solid wood surface that is easy to
clean and I always found canvas on tables difficult to keep clean, but
this was a nice solution. I also kept large sheets of sheetrock with the
edges wrapped with duct tape, perfect because it was portable and easy
to clean.
Hope this helps,
Lori L.
> On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 11:19 PM, John Post wr=
ote:
>
>
>> In my art room I have some large tables that have a top surface that
>> resembles a butcher block. The varnish on them is starting to wear
>> off after 5 or 6 years of daily washing to get the clay and paint off
>> of them.
>>
>> I am looking for the best way to refinish them. My plan was to just
>> take a belt sander to their tops and then re-varnish them. Of course,
>> sometimes on clayart someone asks a simple a question and gets a bunch
>> of great suggestions on how to approach the problem that I never
>> thought of, so that's why I'm tossing this question out here.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John Post
>> Sterling Heights, Michigan
>>
>> :: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
>> :: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
>> :: youtube channel :: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPostArtTeacher
>>
>>
>
>
phil on fri 18 jun 10
Hi John,
Use a Scraper...the kind Cabinetmakes use...it is a rectangular piece of
Steel one
sharpenes, holds in the hands, for scraping Wood surfaces.
Or, use some Liquid 'refinisher' which simply dissolves old Varnish or othe=
r
Wood Finishes, and, then scrape all lightly.
Probably an Oil and Wax finish would be a better choice than Varnish.
Then just keep it well Waxed and or Furniture Polished now and then...and
nothing would stick to it or mess it up.
Plus, it'd look mighty good, too...and a lot less hassle.
Phil
L v
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Post"
> In my art room I have some large tables that have a top surface that
> resembles a butcher block. The varnish on them is starting to wear
> off after 5 or 6 years of daily washing to get the clay and paint off
> of them.
>
> I am looking for the best way to refinish them. My plan was to just
> take a belt sander to their tops and then re-varnish them. Of course,
> sometimes on clayart someone asks a simple a question and gets a bunch
> of great suggestions on how to approach the problem that I never
> thought of, so that's why I'm tossing this question out here.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Post
> Sterling Heights, Michigan
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