What do you all use to finish and waterproof your tables?

[danpeikes]

What do you all use to finish and waterproof your tables? I am making mine out of some wood of unknown type that started out as bed slats that I would like to survive the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter in Chicago. If I could give it some color as well that would be a plus.

[Jules V.]

Spar urethane.

[MacEggs]

I like to use Tung Oil first.
Danish Oil with some tint could be an option for you.

Then a couple three coats of Helmsman spar urethane.
A light sanding after the first coat, and maybe after the second coat...

This is what I used for these 3 tables, and I am very happy with the results!

The performer table is Black Walnut.
The 26er table is Mahogany.
And the table for the Ivory MT is a composite.

[captjoe06]

Curious how ,any winters they’ve been outdoors. I did an old work table that I sanded first then did six coats of helmsman spar urethane. It’s exposed to some pretty harsh sun and is starting to crack a bit. I’ve posed this same question to many of my lobstermen and boat worker buddies that deal with teak on boats and other woods outdoors and get different answers from who I consider to be sage watermen..


Some will say spar urethane but every so often you’ll have to strip it all the way down and others say teak oil.  None have suggested both. The ones that say teak oil say to use that because the maintenance is simply reapplying with a rag once or twice a year and that to correctly get the urethane looking proper once it cracks would be to strip the whole thing down.

I like to use Tung Oil first.
Danish Oil with some tint could be an option for you.

Then a couple three coats of Helmsman spar urethane.
A light sanding after the first coat, and maybe after the second coat...

This is what I used for these 3 tables, and I am very happy with the results!

The performer table is Black Walnut.
The 26er table is Mahogany.
And the table for the Ivory MT is a composite.

[MacEggs]

Curious how ,any winters they’ve been outdoors.

Valid question, @captjoe06 .
I will admit that they do not spend too much time exposed to the elements, or any harsh environments that you mentioned.
Maybe overnight or a day or two.
I like to treat them to help with UV protection and ease of wiping clean.
Plus they look much better! 

Spar varnish is another option.

In fairness to my answer, the OP does not mention anything about snow, rain, etc...
Or, covering it, or not covering it...
Just heat and cold.

What do you all use to finish and waterproof your tables?
I am making mine out of some wood of unknown type that started out as bed slats
that I would like to survive the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter in Chicago.
If I could give it some color as well that would be a plus.