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TABLE CARE

Care of Your PATIO TABLE

The following guidelines are for a rustic scaffold board table that has been treated for external use.

The OSMO Natural Oil wood stain will dry out over time, exactly how long will depend on where the table is sited. We therefore recommend you use your judgement when you think the table is looking a little ‘paler’.

We strongly recommend that you cover your table when not in use for long periods, regardless of the season. It is extremely important that you place a soft object under the cover to allow for air flow, otherwise your table will discolour and potentially go mouldy. Something like a football is ideal or a ball of bubble wrap. If your table is long, you may need 2-3 objects.

When the time comes for a recoat, try to choose a period when the table is at its driest and when the weather will be fine for a day or two after the recoat. 

Please read the manufacturers guidelines, the stain must be put on very lightly, less is more is true in this case. Do not put on more than two coats at any one time. Please contact us if you have any doubts, questions or have forgotten your colours. It is a simple process & the table will look like new afterwards.

All timber is subject to shrinkage or expansion, this is why the table has the gaps between the scaffold boards.  Over time you may notice a few splits occur, this is entirely natural and won’t affect the life expectancy of the table providing you keep up with the staining and painting, when required.

If you leave your table uncovered during the winter, then more movement and expansion can be expected plus your table will fade to a grey as the harsh conditions bleach the tabletop.

Summary

 

  • Although UV protected, wood will mature or fade in colour quicker in direct sunlight, in addition the UK weather isn’t always what we would like it to be, so try to cover your table when not in use.

  • We highly recommend that you cover your table for those inclement days / weeks.

  • The table (& bench) legs are fixed with feet, we recommend keeping these on to avoid contact with any wet surface.

  • Should the table require the feet to be adjusted, please adjust opposing corners, not just one foot.

  • We do not recommend standing the table on grass or gravel as this will bridge the barrier between the legs and a wet ground, better to use a small plinth under each leg if this was the case.

  • Do not put hot items directly on to the table – always use mats where appropriate.

  • Any spills should be mopped up promptly.

  • Avoid the use of strong detergents on wood. Ask about our care pack.

  • Always take care when moving furniture – the table should be carried evenly, never dragged, or pushed. 

  • Do not leave heavy items, like plant pots for long periods of time on the centre of the table.

  • The table is extremely heavy, so we do not recommend moving it alone.

 

Re-Staining Your Table:

  • 1) Your table (& benches) can only be stained when the wood is very dry. For this reason, we advise you to do this little job near the end of the summer. so hopefully you’ll have a few dry days.
  • 2) To start, lightly sand any areas that might need attention.

  • 3) Clean the table with a white spirit cloth, let dry.

  • 4) Now to staining, apply the stain sparingly with a 50mm / 60mm brush. Brush out any areas that have too much stain. Allow 6+ hours to dry.

  • 5) And that’s it. You can repeat the process if you think your table needs it but only apply a maximum of two coats at any one time.

 

 

 

Keeping up with the general maintenance of your table will ensure that it lasts for many many years.

Care of Your DINING TABLE

The following guidelines are for a rustic scaffold board table that has been treated for interior use.

The tabletop finish is hardy and does not need much care, however we do recommend using a good furniture wax to build up protection and pep up the look. A similar coloured wax, to your table is best.

All timber is subject to shrinkage or expansion, the extent of which depends on the exact environment where the table is placed, movement mainly occurs within the first few weeks while the item adjusts to the new temperature it is located in. This is all totally normal behaviour for wood. 

 

If your table is delivered during the winter months, it is advisable not to place the table near a heat source or in a hot room for a few weeks so that the table can settle to its new environment.

As with all reclaimed scaffold board furniture it will contain a history of its use on a building site, however it may also arrive without any cracks or splits, this doesn’t mean they will not occur over this settling period.

Summary

  • Although UV protected, wood will mature or fade in colour quicker in direct sunlight – try to avoid this in prolonged periods when the table is not in use i.e holidays.

  • Always take care when moving furniture – the table should be carried evenly, never dragged or pushed.

  • The table (& bench) legs are fixed with adjustable feet, we recommend keeping these on to avoid possible damage if the table is dragged. 

  • Should the table require the feet to be adjusted, please adjust opposing corners, not just one foot.

  • Do not put hot items directly on to the table – always use mats where appropriate.

  • Any spills should be mopped up promptly.

  • Avoid the use of strong detergents on wood. Ask about our care pack.

  • If you have a wooden frame, you may wish to touch up the frame if scuffs or knocks occur.

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