big old wool table

hello there, I was after some advice please I have been given a rather large wool table from a shearing shed. It used to be soaked rich in lanolin, however after being removed from the shed it stood in the weather for a number of months and went grey, my husband gave it a light sand and tightened it up a bit and a coat of a black wax, it looks fantastic. the wood must be very very dry as the wax is soaking into the wood and the table is lightening up at a very fast rate (in about a month). What could i used to nourish the timber and protect it. I dont want a high shine finish i want it to look natural. I plan on putting a glass top on the table once I get the finish right. I thank you all in advance for your replies. cheers

Sounds like a fantastic piece of Australiana!

How about some pics?

s'pose you could keep feeding it lanolin?:D

ok when i work out how to do that i shall - can i just keep adding wax will that work

I'd opt for an oil finish rather than wax to begin with. Boiled Linseed Oil is cheap and cheerful; thin it 50/50 with turps for the first coat or two.

Post a pic and let us know how you go.

Welcome to the forum. Introduce yourself.

Hi there again, hopefully this works. we are just normal people happily married with 3 children i enjoy trying to do stuff, i did a blacksmith course for 2 years which i loved and can't wait till i find the time to do again. I love old australian stuff and can't wait till we sit at the big table for christmas.

If i wanted to oil the table do i have to remove the wax??

thanks again for your help

Hmm, if it were fine furniture I'd remove the wax.

But all those slats. Sigh.

Maybe a onceover with steel wool and turps and then hit it with the oil. 2 or 3 coats of oil may be enough; you'll know when you apply it and it stays on the surface. btw, for each coat of oil, apply it and then wipe it off before it gets sticky. That may only be minutes so keep an eye on it.

Good luck. It's a handsome piece.

Hi Stressed,
Welcome! That is a lovely looking piece, and I reckon it'll look even more spectacular with the glass top! My feeling is to use Lanotec on it, as the timber will already have lanolin in it. When its soaked in, a wax coat should seal it.

Good luck

get some good wax and a hair dryer.
turn dryer on hot, put some wax on a cloth with one hand and direct the dryer on the spot your rubbing hard ,
should come up with pretty high shine,
ready for the glass top

Astrid

I think for a little extra $$$ you can buy non reflective glass or something similar.To me this would look stunning.

hmm, interesting. I'd have to vote for Lanotec too, my idea for this is to keep feeding it the same type of food, ie lanolin.

The turps and then lanotec, then wax would work as well too, IMHO.


That is one beautiful table! Glad to hear you are able to give such a piece of Aussie history a second life.:2tsup:

cheers
Wendy

thank you all for your advice, i probably don't have to worry about the wax now it seems to be sinking in very quickly i will hit it with the lanotec - it wont make the surface furry tho will it. Thanks for the advice re the non reflective glass that is excellent

cheers

Its available in a number of stores
I see it in bunny's
and it gives a pretty nice finish with the slight smell of lanolin!!! naturally.

I looks terrific.:2tsup:

Just wanted to give you all a quick update - have done nothing more to the table am moving in 2 weeks (SO I WILL BE EVEN MORE STRESSED), so will do it with the lanotec when we move. Have had loads of people see the table and comment on how great it is. It's a huge table 3 metres long by 1.5 wide. Thanks for all your advice I definately will be back


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!