Altar Project: Home Stretch

 

After deciding on the color of the altar and aiming for a shade darker, I nervously started applying the stain. It looks fairly dark in the picture but that it before I wiped off any excess that didn't get absorbed. The next day, I applied a second coat and I think I did pretty well. Below you can see the color sample I made and if you recall, we decided on sample C only a touch darker. I think I was able to accomplish that.

The bottom half of the picture is my color sample board and the top half is the altar top itself. I am pleased with the results. Next up, I started the application of the top protective coat which will protect the wood surface from damage from water or scratching, etc. I am using a hard wax oil that you wipe on, let soak in for 15 minutes or so and then wipe off. 

Above is the altar top after two coats have been applied and I've just wiped off the excess of the second coat. As it dries, it will dull a little bit and not look so shiny.

Above is two coats of hard wax oil applied to the base as well. I will only apply these two coats to the base as it won't see much wear other than dusting occasionally. The top however will see more use so I'll probably apply another two or three more coats to it. The finish that I'm using takes about 8 hours to dry so I am only able to put on one coats a day but because of what it is, I don't have to sand between coats. I apply it with a white brillo like (and feeling) applicator pad which does a great job of removing any dust nibs that might have gotten stuck in the finish as it set and leaves the surface feeling nice and smooth yet leaving you with the feel of the wood grain instead of the plastic like feeling that polyurethan film finishes give you. 

I'll probably come close to finishing it next week (as I write this) but probably won't get it delivered as we are going to take a small family vacation while the two kids are out of school and before summer business takes over. Hopefully that will give it a chance to off gas a bit and then I can get it delivered the following week. I still don't know the logistics of accomplishing that but I'm sure the Good Samaritan and I will figure out something.