Thread: Treating/finishing Kwila/Merbau for indoor and outdoor use

Hi,

I'm a woodworking amateur.

I have purchased a few solid Kwila/Merbau panels (2100x1050x28mm), with which I want to make an outdoor table and bench seat set, as well as an indoor dining table and coffee table.

I've read that Kwila "bleeds" and that it should therefore be washed down with water for 2-3 hours to wash off excess surface tannins, and that it should then be oiled (and re-oiled every few months). Does that also apply when using it for indoor furniture?

I've also read that due to the high concentration of tannins, varnishing it isn't recommended because the tannins will break down the varnish.

I've also read about using Scandinavian Furniture Oil on it, but when I looked up Scandinavian Furniture Oil it says that it should not be applied directly to wood but over a layer of "poly." Am I correct in assuming that "poly" stands for polyurethane varnish?

On the one hand, being able to simply oil the wood every so often to maintain it sounds ideal, but unless the wood is varnished I would I be correct in assuming that it's going to be very susceptible to water staining from cups etc?

How would you recommend I treat/finish the timber of indoor and for outdoor settings?