Hey everyone! I woke up to a bit of a disaster this morning. I have an 80x80cm round birch glue board tabletop that I just finished sanding and applied some oil wax to one side. I left it on the terrace to dry, but unfortunately, it rained while I was sleeping! The waxed side seems alright since it held up against the water, and I waxed the end grains too, so I think they might be okay.
However, I didn't put anything under the tabletop, and water pooled on the tarp, soaking into the unfinished side. Now, the grain has risen and it feels wet. I've brought it indoors and dried it off with towels.
So here I am, wondering how bad the damage is and what I should do next. Should I let it dry slowly inside, or do I need to sand off the wax to allow for better drying? I'm really bummed about this since I've been working on this table for a while without access to a proper workshop or tools. Thanks for your advice!
2 Answers
First of all, bring that tabletop inside to let it dry out. You might actually be just fine! Water doesn't usually cause immediate disaster, and it can take a long time for wood to get truly waterlogged. Let it dry out for a couple of weeks and keep your fingers crossed for minimal warping.
A tip for the future: always apply your finish evenly on both sides of your piece. Leaving one side bare while the other is finished can cause uneven moisture absorption and lead to issues like warping down the line.
Don't panic, it's not the end of the world! This might sound a bit odd, but consider wetting the unfinished side of the tabletop. It might help balance out the moisture levels and reduce potential warping. Just be sure to do it gently, as the goal is to keep your tabletop flat.