Rough New Oak Table After Wiping

[budest]

Well as the title suggests, got a new oak table delivered yesterday. I assembled it and read the instructions thoroughly about 'Before Use' and apart from a maintenance tip of 'Wipe with a damp cloth...' there was nothing else so I did just that and I noticed a slight browning of the cloth which I took to be an oil. Is that correct?

Bottom line the table a tad rough today and I can only assume I have wiped the oils from it leaving it this way. So am I right in assuming that I need to lightly sand it and re-oil? If so what type of oil,wax do I need?

Thanks

 

[foxhole]

Probably wax, clear wax to polish.
http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com...xZ5B1N4V0rXBTP6F01XXvLAzKZyp_PoyNAaAnSq8P8HAQ

 

[budest]

Thanks for that.

Is it normal for this to happen when wood is wiped with water that it become slightly rough?

 

[RogerBoyle]

Only if the wood has had no protective layer on it

Are you sure it was an oil that you wiped off and not a fine dust
As it sounds like your table has no finish applied to it

 

[Dave54]

You can damp the wood to pick up the grain a bit before a last sanding if you like. So you won't have done any harm. Use very fine abrasive paper, or Scotchbrite type stuff to smooth it down. Don't use wire wool on oak. You always get a bit left in the wood, and it reacts to make a blue stain if it gets wet again.

 

[budest]

Roger I'm not sure, it's very possible. It was bought from Homebase and the brown paper that covered table looked to have oil stains on it.

Homebase are replacing it for me tomorrow as the local store has one in stock so I'll check the new table and see. The supplied instructions and maintenance paperwork make no mention of preparing the table or the likes.

So when the new one comes how can I tell if it's been treated or needs treated?

Thanks for your time.

 

[budest]

Cheers Dave, see above post.

 

[RogerBoyle]

If its treated with anything it will have a slight sheen and feel smooth to the touch.
If it has used mortise and tenons for assembly , Look at them and see if they are a different shade from the rest of the table if they are then you will probably have some sort of finish on it.

It could simply be a problem with a sprayed stain and its came off as you wiped the table or as I said earlier it hasn't been finished

When they deliver the new table just ask them to wait while you check it and give it a wipe with the same cloth... It will either be ok or it wont

HTH

 

[WalksWithTurkeys]

It sounds like it is unfinished. I can drip water onto my oiled and waxed tables, and the water forms beads, rather than soaking in. It does not feel rough when wiped with a damp rag.

If it is unfinished, then I'd apply hardwax oil, two coats, then proper wax polish not the spray on Mr Sheen kind. He's a motor biker, not a furniture specialist. If it has a finish, then don't apply hardwax or any other finish until you know what the finish is. It could reject the new finish.

 

[budest]

It sounds like it is unfinished. I can drip water onto my oiled and waxed tables, and the water forms beads, rather than soaking in. It does not feel rough when wiped with a damp rag.

If it is unfinished, then I'd apply hardwax oil, two coats, then proper wax polish not the spray on Mr Sheen kind. He's a motor biker, not a furniture specialist. If it has a finish, then don't apply hardwax or any other finish until you know what the finish is. It could reject the new finish.

OK mate table arrived today and has a smooth finish like my previous one did until I rubbed it with a damp cloth. This time I won't be doing that

Here is a picture of the brown sheet that covered the table in the box, as you can see there is an oily residue or something on it. What do you think?

Here are two images of the table close up to hopefully give you an idea of the finish. What are your views? Should I apply an oil to the table before wiping?

 

[RogerBoyle]

It looks like it has had a poorly applied stain/oil finish
Or at least that's what it looks like in the Photo to me

Get in touch with the shop by email or letter and ask what the finish is and what steps should you follow for cleaning as you didn't get any instructions with it

 

[budest]

Thanks for reply again Roger.

Was chatting to manager today in Homebase and as helpful as he tried to be he hadn't a clue so here's what I did....after reading endlessly on the net I made a somewhat educated decision that the table was unfinished as in it had no sealant applied. So I purchased Colron Danish Oil (natural) and applied a coat. According to the directions you should apply 3 coats to untreated/unfinished wood so I'll play it by ear. First coat on and I'll do a second tomorrow.

The way I see it is that the oil can only help it and if worst comes to worst I know Homebase will take it back. So far so good in that the table looks much nicer with the first coat applied. After the 3 coats I'll try and wipe a small area with a damp cloth and see what happens.

I'll write back with a final outcome.

 

[RogerBoyle]

How did you get on with the table

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

And the moral of the story is that BAS was right along, avoid the sheds!