The range of modern protective and decorative products for wood can baffle even an experienced craftsman. To understand what varnish to coat a wooden table with, you need to clearly understand the future operating conditions of this piece of furniture. With the correct selection of coating and careful operation, the finished product will last a very long time.
Applying varnish to a wooden tabletop Source nationalcustommillwork.com
Types of wood varnish
By type, varnishes for wooden surfaces are:
- Acrylic base;
- Water based;
- Oil based;
- Polyurethane based.
These varnishes can be used to process: ceilings, floors, walls and furniture.
Acrylic lacquer
Acrylic is considered one of the main paint bases because it is heat-resistant.
The advantages of such coverage are as follows:
- Resistance of the surface to moisture - if the table is located in a humid environment (or outdoors), precipitation or evaporation will not harm the wood.
- It does not clog the pores of the wood - the tree perfectly allows air to pass through itself.
- Antibacterial agent - acrylic can prevent the formation of microbes.
- Fast drying.
Eurotex is considered the market leader in acrylic varnishes for warm rooms. The manufacturer guarantees moisture resistance and no fungus formation. After application, you can notice how the surface of the wood becomes matte.
The composition of this product does not contain toxic additives at all, so it can be used indoors. Moreover, the varnish is not flammable at all.
Water based varnish
Water-based varnish penetrates deeply into the base of the wood. The main advantage is that this varnish does not release toxic substances when heated, so it can be used directly for warm rooms.
In addition, it can be used to process soft wood. The main advantage is the varied palette. You can choose any color you want.
Among the disadvantages are:
- Fragility - surfaces must be re-treated every 2 years.
- Experts believe that this type of varnish is better for directly treating furniture located in the house without damp fumes and high temperatures.
Tikkurila is very popular in the paint and varnish market. The manufacturer guarantees that you will not regret using this product.
The advantage is that the components actively fight fungus, which will certainly appear in a humid environment.
The Biofa brand is an excellent less expensive replacement. Designed for durable, wear-resistant and breathable coverage. The disadvantage is considered to be water resistance and lack of resistance to temperature changes. As for the composition, it is absolutely safe.
Oil varnish
It is worth noting that it is better not to use tables made of wooden materials placed directly inside heated rooms. Since such a substance has the ability to heat up and accidentally touching it threatens you with a burn.
TEX Profi is considered the best in its business, as it performs all the necessary functions.
- The composition of this varnish allows you to cover furniture.
- The first disadvantage is the unpleasant, pungent odor.
- Be sure to ventilate the premises while working with varnish.
- The second disadvantage is its instability to high temperatures.
Polyurethane varnish
With this solution you can create a perfectly flat surface. It can protect the table from fading (if it is exposed to the sun) and mechanical stress.
- There is no need to worry about the composition of the varnish, since it contains substances that are absolutely not harmful to wood and human health.
- The recommendation from experts is that you need to wear gloves and avoid getting the varnish in your eyes.
Experts recommend the Varathane brand as one of the best of its kind.
Why do you need to varnish?
Wood is a popular material for creating furniture. The surfaces have high thermal insulation, so the substance does not deform when it comes into contact with warm dishes. The wood can be given any shape, and small scratches can be restored. For the work area in the kitchen, solid and stacked structures are used.
Wood countertops are easy to damage. Among the factors that negatively affect the material, there are 3 main ones:
- Heat. A saucepan or frying pan from the stove will leave unsightly marks on the surface. An open flame will cause a fire.
- Sharp objects. Mechanical damage occurs when shredding without a board or moving dishes. Deep and medium scratches look unsightly.
- Water. Wet conditions lead to swelling (deformation) of the inlaid countertop. The liquid provokes the appearance of fungus, which will gradually destroy the material.
In order for kitchen furniture to serve for a long time, the work surface must be protected. Enamels create a reliable layer that protects raw materials from external influences. Coloring hides the beauty of the texture, so the product loses its uniqueness.
Criteria for choosing wood varnish
To choose the right paint for wood, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the criteria, based on which you can make the right choice without wasting money and time:
- Consumption - calculate the surface you will treat, due to the fact that each product has a different consumption.
- Layers – for untreated wood, it is necessary to treat the surface in several layers. Thus, you need to estimate exactly how much material you will need.
- Composition – the composition may contain many dangerous substances that can negatively affect the human body.
- Application methods - there are a huge number of ways to apply varnish: aerosol, brush or roller.
Further purpose - it is necessary to carefully study the issue of future operation, since there are different varnishes: with resistance to atmospheric pressure and ultraviolet radiation, resistance to humidity and temperature changes.
Necessary tools for varnishing tabletops
Before varnishing the tabletop, you need to take care of a sufficient number of necessary tools for the job. To create the deepest possible color of natural wood, you can use stain - the day before varnishing, the tabletop is painted with a small sponge. To work with the prepared tree you will need:
- brush or roller;
- cotton pads;
- additional lamp;
- fine sandpaper with fine grain.
The varnish is applied with a roller or brush with natural bristles Source privatmebel.ru
The main tool for application will be a brush or roller. In the first case, it is recommended to use a tool with dense natural bristles. The roller should be made of microfiber or fabric with a minimum amount of lint. Cotton pads are used to wipe off fallen drops of varnish from non-working surfaces.
Safety precautions when working with varnish
Despite the fact that it would seem that there may be threats with the usual coating of a surface with varnish, they still exist.
Let's study the basic rules that need to be followed:
- Protect the skin of your hands and face - such substances contain many chemical elements. When spraying varnish, a lot of toxic substances are released into the room. In case of contact with human skin, there is a risk of burns.
- Use a respirator - toxic substances can enter the respiratory tract, which can also cause irreversible harm to a person.
- Wear glasses - if chemical residues get on the mucous membrane of your eyes, they can cause a burn.
If paint and varnish material does end up somewhere, follow the following instructions:
- Rinse the splashed area. If you find deep damage, immediately seek medical help from specialists.
- If you inhale a toxic substance, you must immediately leave the room for fresh air and try to cough. Be sure to rinse your nose.
If you start to feel unwell or experience pain in the lungs, dizziness and lack of oxygen, immediately call an ambulance and seek help from specialists.
Preparing the tabletop for varnishing
Before covering a wooden table with the selected composition, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures to clean the wood from the previous coating. The old varnish must be completely removed from the surface of the countertop. To do this, you can use coarse sandpaper or an electric sander.
There are modern chemicals that allow you to quickly remove old varnish. They contain a solvent that effectively removes old coating. It is important to strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the wood. The softened varnish is removed using a spatula or any convenient tool at hand.
The old varnish must be completely removed Source mastermario.ru
TOP best varnish manufacturers
To choose the right quality paint, you will need to study the list of proven, best manufacturers of wood varnishes.
Among the most proven are:
- Dulux - England.
- VGT – Russia.
- Dali - Denmark.
- Escaro - Sweden.
- Neomid - Russia.
- Kudo – Russia.
- Parade - USA.
- Loba - Germany.
- Marshall - USA.
Oil
Photo from source: master-kraski.ru
Oil impregnation is the optimal method for protecting solid wood products.
First of all, it helps the wood begin to repel water due to the formation of a barrier film that prevents the structure from getting wet.
Please note that such coverage will require periodic updating.
The compositions are available in different colors. Therefore, your decorative possibilities are almost limitless.
The base can be mineral, vegetable, synthetic. But, of course, industrial tung, citrus and linseed oils will provide the most reliable protection.
Divided into drying:
· partially - the wood is impregnated to deep layers. To remove the top layer, use a mechanical method;
· completely – does not wash off with water, forms a solid top layer.
It is better to apply oil compositions in at least two layers. Before applying a new one, the previous one must dry well.
Photo of varnish for a wooden table
Wax
Wax is a natural, environmentally friendly material. But in addition to the water-repellent coating, it also creates protection against scratches and abrasions. Able to withstand common kitchen cleaning products.
Photo from source: ufa-les.ru
Attention! Wax thins out quite quickly, so you will have to polish and renew the coating more often than with oil. Before each update, the old layer will have to be cleared.
Self-adhesive film
Of course, this is the easiest way to cover. Allows you to renew a kitchen top that has become old.
Photo from source: mebpilot.ru
Before you begin finishing, thoroughly clean the area to be treated with sandpaper. Achieve a perfectly smooth surface.
Attention! Clean thoroughly. Do not allow air bubbles to form under the film!
In stores you can find a huge assortment of self-adhesive films with a variety of designs - imitation stones, solid wood of any species, plain, with a pattern.
The surface with such a film is easy to clean from dirt and can serve for a long time without wear or fading.
Soft glass
Photo from source: spkubani.club
You can cover it with oilcloth or a tablecloth, but they wear out very quickly.
An adequate alternative is transparent PVC film. It is also called soft glass. Withstands household chemicals, relatively high temperatures, is not saturated with water, and is not subject to deformation. No scratches left.
Excellent for surfaces made of wood, chipboard, MDF, glass, metal, artificial stone, agglomerate.
Protective coating for a desk and a kitchen table - is there a difference?
The main difference in glass for different tables can be called their thickness. For desks, take an overlay no thinner than 5 mm; for kitchen tables, 2 mm is allowed, since the impact is less, because an additional cutting board is used. Plus, the kitchen coating must be heat-resistant.
There will also be a difference in decor. Protective glass for a schoolchild's desk can be transparent, in any shade that harmonizes with the design of the room. It is convenient to lay out your schedule and important notes under it.
If you like bright, colorful protective covers, you can choose an option with photo printing or a special decorative film on the bottom of the glass.
Liquid glass
Photo from source: derevoblog.ru
This is epoxy resin - a transparent polymer that contains sodium and potassium silicates.
Soda glass is the best choice for decorating a wooden tabletop.
ADVANTAGES OF COATING
· retains the original shade;
· will not peel off;
· will not crack, is resistant to wear;
· will not be damaged by spilling hot coffee;
· easy and simple care
Liquid glass is diluted with ordinary tap water. To make the coating look like real glass, the wood is cleaned and well sanded.
Liquid glass is diluted with ordinary tap water. To make the coating look like real glass, the wood is cleaned and well sanded.
The composition is applied in a spiral, leveled with a spatula towards the edges from the center. It is important to have time to give the desired shape before the liquid glass hardens.
Dye is added to create a colored coating.
