Thread: Looking for suggestions on a finish for Camphor Laurel coffee table, grandson proof

Floor polish or/and a sheet of glass.

polish with an added bittering agent

There isn't one.
Regards Rod.

Would a 1mm sheet of steel work? Fold over the edges like a BBQ cover.



A more traditional method I enjoy is sprayed nitro.

Work on the other end and apply some discipline?

Gents, While I can appreciate some of your replies, I was really hoping for some real constructive advice on produces others have used, thank you...

You may need to give us more information as to what damage is likely to be inflicted by said grandson.

Is it mechanicla, ie he loves to hit the table with his toys, does he write on there with a biro, does he write on there with felt tip pens, does he paint on there with whatever he can get his hand son.

If you want to get the most vandal proof finish then I would suggest 2 pack urethane. However this would not stop the timber getting dented by hitting with toys or scratching with biros etc.

Hence my suggestion that prevention is better than cure.

Originally Posted by crowie

Gents, While I can appreciate some of your replies, I was really hoping for some real constructive advice on produces others have used, thank you...

I figured that the potential grandson damage would be of the "taste and chew" variety, hence the suggestion of adding a bittering agent to some furniture polish to produce a finish which would discourage further exploration with his teeth. I recall that there used to be a product designed to discourage kids from chewing their nails which worked on the principle of making the nails taste horrible.

If you're trying to prevent impact damage from kid's toys, then the most effective "finish" is either a fence to prevent access to the table or, as Big Shed suggests, swift and effective retribution should said child commence pounding or sawing the furniture.

I know of no finish which will withstand a determined 3 year old with a hammer like implement.

What about Pour On Glass? That stuff is tough beyond belief.

Boat-Coat might be an alternative: Product Information Pages If it can handle the sea.....

Originally Posted by woodPixel

What about Pour On Glass? That stuff is tough beyond belief.

and so is laminex, but does Crowie really want to hide his camphor laurel table behind plastic ?

Few coats of danish oil and a few coats of wipe on poly.

I used HBO on our tassie oak one a couple of years ago & it's holding up fine. No little kids, but I'm probably worse, I use it as a foot stool (with & without boots on), put hot plates & mugs on it. When it does need re-doing it should only take a quick sand & re-oil.

Osmo make highly resilient oils, perhaps something there would be useful. I find Hard Burnishing oil highly resistant to wear and tear, but like most other oil products, it wont stop dents and scratches with biros and so forth. HBO is from Organoil, an Australian company and Osmo (another aussie company) are at osmo oils. I know at least one furniture maker who swears by Osmo.

Regards,

Rob

Crowie, I used a home made Wipe On Poly recipe on a Bluegum slab and it is very tough. Could have something to do with the slab which was hard as nails but the finish took a bashing from MiniArcher when she was little.
Equal parts polyurethane (Estapol I think it was), boiled linseed oil and turps. Then add another half measure of Poly. Wipe on with a cloth. The oil and turps allow it to self level. Dry overnight then add another coat.
I was really impressed with how durable it was. If I ever get to build anything again I'll use it without hesitation.
This is what I put it on.

Finished.JPG