Although an improved business climate has kept me occupied with repairs (a good thing), I've finally completed the mate to my ELIPSE SIDE TABLE. among the challenges was selecting a finish that will do justice to the exquisite material AND prove durable enough for a tabletop likely to endure numerous insults.
In the end, I opted for tung oil (rather than dye) to deepen the grain & figure, followed by a conventional "short oil" varnish - padded on. I love this mode of application because it allows a flawless finish without the need to spray. The basis of this technique is the use of a French polishers pad or "tampon", which allows me to put down a number of very thin coats WITH NO BRUSH MARKS. The varnish yields a tough coating that adds a bit of amber hue, which unifies the piece and gives it a warm glow.
The pad is simply a piece of knit cotton (old t-shirt) with a wad of cheese cloth or paper towel as an absorbent core. tie it with some string, dab in your thinned varnish & wipe. Between coats, I sand (400 grit) and tack off the dust. The final coating requires very little polishing.
I think you will agree that the result has great clarity and adds depth to the QUILTED BIG LEAF MAPLE. Of course the CHERRY surround & legs will deepen in color over time, which will increase the contrast between the two woods I've chosen. The original EIPSE SIDE TABLE was originally finished in shellac which, while beautiful, is not suitably tough for a tabletop likely to see both hot liquids & alcohol (it's solvent!).
Coming soon: Bringing the WINDSOR CHAIR into the 21st century. -Rich
