Is it possible to get a natural water repellent finish?

[Joe_bradshaw]

I’ve read a lot about oils and wax but I can’t find anything which gives the finish I am after suggesting to me it can’t, which is not a word I like to use, be done!

 

I would like to keep the sanded matt finish on an oak slab (table top) but bring out the grain, without colouring too much, yet protect it from the kids spilling their cereal or the misses her coffee. Am I looking for tartan paint or is there a way of achieving this? The slab has good colour/grain without any treatment so I’d take a protected matt finish over bringing out the grain if it’s a case of one or the other. 

 

Any assistance much appreciated, novis at work!

 

 

[Daniël Bos]

the osmo polyx is pretty good.

choice of finish from gloss, satin or matt I think, it's a hard wax. You can use it on floors but it's also safe for wooden toys that may get chewed by bubs.

[Woodworks]

To my knowledge no. In my experience there are no miracle finishes. The most natural by nature leave little cover and in turn give little protection. I know some rate Osmo but I have not had any joy from their finishes and I am looking at our coffee table I did with Osmo and the water marks on it's surface and the wood looks flat in colour.

 

Most protective oil I have come across which imparts the least darkening is Tung oil but it will yellow the wood a bit. I mainly use Liberon finishing oil which brings out the grain well and offers good levels of protection if you put on enough coats to get a surface build up but then it looks less natural.

 

Most natural.          Wax but gives stuff all protection

Most protection.     Bar top lacquer but looks anything but natural

 

Most of the oils will fit somewhere between these two

 

 

[billpierce]

It's toughy. I have used tung and been happy but definitely darkens it.

Black bison wax hardly changes the colour and if you don't polish it loads won't go shiny but will not protect super well.

My parents love their oak table. They have left it bare and just give it a good scrub every now and then. It's really light colour and smooth as ought as has been scrubbed for last 20 yrs....def an option I would consider

[muttley9050]

Osmo poly x matt. Put it on take it off quick. Light sand and same again. Don't buff it. Will bring out colour and darken a bit but will still be Matt.

[TIMON]

Bona Traffic. Acrylic lacquer. Bit pricey just for that piece but I’ve seen it used on refurbed parquet flooring to good effect and it stays light. Very kid proof and comes in the three standard finishes.

https://www.bona.com/en-GB/Professional/Products/Coatings/LacquersFinishes/BonaTraffic-HD/

[spandit]

Torrefaction?

[TheHungrySquirrel]

Pure linseed oil will give some protection and not really alter the colour.
You can apply multiple coats