I would appreciate any help you could give concerning what finish to use on my kitchen tabletop. I built a harvest table and the top is made out of 35-year-old pine boards that were two inches thick. All that I have on the top so far is three coats of boiled linseed oil, but I am unsure what would be best for a topcoat. A lot of time is spent sitting around the kitchen table and I am worried about spilled drinks…alcohol to be exact.
Michael Dresdner: Stop worrying. Let the linseed oil dry a few days, then top off the table with a few coats of oil based polyurethane. It is compatible with the oil you already have on and will hold up to hot coffee pots, stains, abrasions, solvents, chemicals, and yes, alcohol.
Simon Watts: Linseed oil is a reliable, durable finish so I suggest leaving it be. From time to time I recommend rubbing it down with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper using the oil as lubricant. BE SURE to wipe off any excess oil immediately with a lint-free cotton rag – such as a worn out bed sheet. After about 30 minutes (depending on temperature) the oil will begin to get gummy and difficult to remove. Treat the oil-soaked rags as incendiary bombs – they have caused many a fire.
