I built this cherry table for our kitchen. It gets a lot of use, although we always use cloth placemats. I finished it with General Finishes High Performance but in the sunlight scratches can be seen. Also, the edge where my husband sits is discolored (and I let the finish cure about a month before we used it) - see edge by the chair in this picture. Not dirt, but definitely darkened.
I'm considering sanding it down and applying Odies oil. What issues do it need to consider?? 🤔Would I need to do both top and bottom.
The Cherry will darken over time being in the sunlight. That’s tough to avoid. If you want to smooth it out and the scratches aren’t very deep you can wax it.
Both sides currently have the High Performance - so no concern if one side had the HP and the other Odies? Really wish I had the Odies when I finished the table.
Corelz125- for sure the cherry has darkened but still confused what caused this area to stand out (and happened quite soon after we started using the table). Assume skin contact but not sure why it would have this impact.
That segment of the top looks to be slightly darker than the rest (from a different plank/tree?).
Being darker, it could be reacting more to perspiration or something related to the clothing (always long sleeve shirts?).
Could make it a routine to rotate the table every few months (like a mattress) to "spread the patina".
Perhaps, though no real evidence, could the culprit be lurking under the table (photo let center)??? Maybe she likes licking the table there during cleanup duties after plate cleaning and putting the dishes back up?
That segment of the top looks to be slightly darker than the rest (from a different plank/tree?).
Being darker, it could be reacting more to perspiration or something related to the clothing (always long sleeve shirts?).
Perhaps, though no real evidence, could the culprit be lurking under the table (photo let center)??? Maybe she likes licking the table there during cleanup duties after plate cleaning and putting the dishes back up?
The last comment made me laugh. Since when we leave the house our dog does go on crumb patrol. Seeing that closer. Like splint said it might be from perspiration or oils from skin contact.
Splintergroup- I think it must be related to skin oils (he has type 1 diabetes so have tried to think if that might be related??). I think the dogs are off the list as they don't lick or beg at the table. I agree that is a darker board but have a matching board on the opposite side without the issue.
I built a table from cherry and it developed a light spot under the small coaster blocking sun exposure. I took the entire table outside and let it get fully exposed to the sun. It darkened the entire table and was evenly exposed.
John - yes, I'm very careful not to have anything sitting on the table (other than during meals) as the table is in a sunny spot. I'm happy with the overall darkening, just perplexed by the edge.
Given that your husband is a man, and that we men do weird things, you might want to make sure he isn’t licking the table. If his hands are full and a tasty morsel is present, it might be the most efficient option. :-) (I suspect skin contact from forearms too.)
That’s a pretty table. It may be even prettier with the oil, which should deepen the color.
Ron - yep, I'm still leaning toward the forearm oils but I'll keep an eye out for licking the edge around the placemat. ;)
Guessing a full sand would lighten the color and the oil darken again. Has been pretty neat how much it has darkened as it gets a lot of sun (south facing windows).
Going for another (far fetched) reason for the darkening, could be that along with the oils from the skin, maybe the finish has been worn down in those areas allowing for more UV rays to get to darken the wood? As I say, maybe far fetched but it's hard to tell from here.
No telling if the darkness will even out after sanding or not. Could be some cherry stain in your future??
Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.
Bentlyj - it started to show up pretty much from the start of our using the table so wasn't time for the finish to break down. Still seems really odd.
Good point on whether (or not) the discoloration would sand out. Hadn't really thought about that scenario. I hate staining so don't anticipate I'd attempt any "correction" with staining as I'm more confident I would make it worse!
Those dark areas are definitely from skin contact. I have similar marks on the desk I'm setting at right now. It is red oak with 4 coats of water based varathane.
If the oils and acids have penetrated the finish and gotten into the wood you might have trouble getting it out. In that case I would take it outside and use some oxalic acid to attempt to remove and brighten it....use it on the whole table. If you have trouble finding the oxalic acid a deck brightener from the hardware store or boat shops have teak cleaner in which you sprinkle on the wet surface and light scrub away the dark color. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat as needed until you get the results you need.
I would doubt that using an oil finish like Odies oil will prevent this but it might make it easier to refinish the next time. I think the skin oil would just join the Odie's oil and wax mix and become part or the wood. An alternative hard finish might be a lacquer which may resist the skin oils better. Last approach make your husband wear long sleeve at the table....LOL
I think he needs to eat at a separate kids table 🤔 😉 I'm leaning toward leaving it as I don't want to ruin the table (that was a hard build!). May check with GF to see their suggestion as I know some products don't work well with the High Performance if I would ever want to add an additional coat.
The pups are innocent!! (Splintergroup your hypothetical picture is hilarious)
I fear the blame falls to my dear husband whose idea it was for me to build the table!!! Our 29th anniversary is coming up...this is just part of the journey.
