I recently picked up a second-hand IKEA oak tabletop and gave it a makeover by sanding it down with various grits, starting from 120 and working up to 600. However, I'm not too experienced with this kind of project, so I didn't realize that it needed some sort of finishing to be durable for desk use—like for gaming or working at home. I oiled it with a product from Amazon, but now I'm wondering if I messed things up along the way. What specific finishing products would you recommend? Also, any feedback on my sanding process would be appreciated!
1 Answer
Out of curiosity, how old is that IKEA piece? Some of their older stuff had actual wood, while a lot of it is just lightweight materials. When it comes to sanding finishes, typically you want to go through grits like 120, 180, and 240. You can usually skip the finer grits like 320 and 600 because that's more for getting a super smooth finish if the lower ones didn't do the job right. But honestly, I think you did okay with your oiling, it's a type of finishing! Just keep in mind you might need to care for it more than something that's got a hard finish on top. Try using coasters on it to keep it looking nice!
Thanks for the insight! I honestly had no clue about the different materials IKEA used, but I can say this tabletop was definitely heavier. I’ll keep the sanding grit progression in mind for next time!