Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Egg Table Finish

kdahlke
kdahlke Posts: 30
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Getting ready to pick up my new egg soon and figured that I would have the table built, ready and waiting for the new arrival. I am at the point now for finishing the table and wondering what other eggers do? The table will be sitting on the deck outside during the summer months and when not in use will be covered.

Thinking of using either something like Thompson's Water Seal or an outdoor poly.

What are your thoughts? Thanks

Comments

  • thechief96
    thechief96 Posts: 1,908
    Depends on the type of wood you are using. I too am building a table. The wood on mine is red oak and I'm using teak oil.
    Dave San Jose, CA The Duke of Loney
  • Capt Frank
    Capt Frank Posts: 2,578
    Thompson's water seal is not a good choice. It is basically just parrafin.

    There are wood sealers out there that will do a much better job. Pittsburgh Paints makes one called "SunProof", which will give you good UV protection as well as waterproofing. There are others.
    The advantage to wood sealers is you only need one coat and the application is easy, just brush it on. The disadvantage is that you get no real "finish" look to your wood and your table will trap dirt [charcoal dust] in the cracks and crevices and will be harder to clean.
    My personal preference is a spar varnish, made for marine use. You can choose between several finishes, gloss, semi-gloss, satin, and your table will have a nicer look to it and be much easier to keep clean.
    The disadvantage to varnish is that you need to apply at least three coats, sanding between coats, and it needs to be applied carefully, so that it covers evenly without running.
    Another benefit of a good varnish is that if your surface gets damaged or marred in any way, a light sanding and another coat will have it looking new again. :)

    Hope this helps B)

    Capt Frank
    Homosassa, FL
  • Capt Frank
    Capt Frank Posts: 2,578
    I should add that "Spar Urathane" by Min-Wax is one of the best products on the market. It is available at most all home centers and hardwares for about $15.00/qt

    Capt Frank
    Homosassa, FL
  • field hand
    field hand Posts: 420
    When I bought my BGE, I also bought the cypress table. My table is out year round and is covered only when we expect snow or ice. BGE dealer suggested a I seal it with a "clear, penetrating oil type sealant". Lowes recommended Olympic Maximun oil based sealant. I "painted" it a year ago after I got it set up. Finish/color still looks good. I hose the table occassionally to keep the charcoal residue to a minimum. Recently, I washed the table with mild soap to clean it and put another coat of the Olympic on it. Don't know if this the best stuff to use, I'm sure there's others on the forum that know more about sealants than I do. Good luck.

    Barry
    Marthasville, MO
  • grillmandan
    grillmandan Posts: 270
    I build and sell cypress tables in florida. I use Helmsnans spar polyurathane high gloss. 3 coats, sanding in between each. Re coat once every two years.
  • kdahlke
    kdahlke Posts: 30
    Thanks everyone and this helps a lot, will be started the finishing tonight
    ;)
  • thechief96
    thechief96 Posts: 1,908
    We don't have cypress here in California. I'm using red oak. The cost is $2.30 a foot for 1x4. How much is cypress?
    Dave San Jose, CA The Duke of Loney
  • Capt Frank
    Capt Frank Posts: 2,578
    About $1.00 It grows here, all the old "cracker houses" were built out of it, it will last forever. I know of a few oyster boats around Mobile Bay that were built in the early 1900's, still working. When I first started coming to this area for the winter I rented a house that had been built in the 1920's, still very sound.
    It is not sold by the big box stores, only local lumber dealers.
    If you can get Douglas Fir you will have something pretty close.

    Capt Frank
    Homosassa, FL