Wondering how to protect a wood table without darkening this finish? I’m sharing what’s worked for me to protect and seal our Restoration Hardware & Pottery Barn tables.
Over the past several years I’ve been asked time and time again whether I did something to seal and protect the Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn wood tables in our kitchen. The answer is “yes” and the way that I chose to seal them is actually something I spent a lot of time researching and experimenting with before figuring out the best way to go about it. Today I’m sharing the details of how I sealed both of our wood tables including a step by step how-to and the products I used to get the job done! (post includes affiliate links; full disclosure statement available {here})
There are several different products you can successfully use to seal wood tables but one of the most important things to me was finding something that didn’t significantly darken the natural color of my table or make it shiny. The first wood table we had in our kitchen is Restoration Hardware’s Dumont dining table (it’s no longer available but {this trestle table} is very similar):
To try and figure out how to best seal and protect it, I bought a wood sample from Restoration Hardware to test (1) clear polyurethane and (2) Waterlox on it and see how they affected the look of the wood. As I thought they might, both sealers significantly darkened the color of my wood sample so I kept searching for a better solution. After more research and another wood sample experiment, I found that clear wood furniture wax was my best bet since it helps protect the wood without changing the color hardly at all.
Using the exact steps and products I detail below, I sealed our table with wax and after using it for several years (first in our kitchen and then in our home office), there still isn’t a single mark or stain on it!
Ceiling light found {here} Find a full Source List for our home office {here}
Waxing our table worked beautifully for me but I do want to make the disclaimer that while we certainly have our share of spills at dinner but we’re not terribly rough on our tables. We don’t have toddlers banging utensils on them or little boys running Matchbox cars up and down them like some of you might. Polyurethane and Waterlox sealers DO offer more hardy protection than wax (you can read more about using Waterlox in {this post}) so you’ll have to decide for yourself whether that extra protection is worth the trade-off of ending up with a much darker table. In my case, it wasn’t!
After remodeling our kitchen, I bought a new wood table for our kitchen (Pottery Barn’s Toscana Dining Table available {here} – mine is the Seadrift finish) and sealed it the same exact way as our Restoration Hardware table, again with results I’ve been thrilled with:
See full Source List for our kitchen eat-in {here} or scroll and click/tap to shop this space below:
Here’s the step by step of how to get the job done:
1. Clean Your Table
Wax will trap any dust or particles on your table so it’s important to give it a good cleaning before sealing it. To clean mine, I mix a drop of clear dishwashing liquid into a bowl of warm water, dampen a microfiber cloth with it, wring out any excess, and wipe down the entire table.
I follow up by wiping the table down with plain warm water, using a dry microfiber cloth to remove any excess water, and then allowing it to completely dry. Once dry, run a tack cloth such as one of {these} over the tabletop to make sure it’s completely dust-free.
2. Get Ready with Your Wax & Waxing Brush
There are several brands of clear wax to choose from but some don’t actually dry quite as clear as others. My favorites are Annie Sloan’s clear wax and Crystal Clear paste wax (available {here}). They’re both soft waxes that go on easily and dry truly clear. To apply the wax to your table, you can use a lint free cloth like an old t-shirt but a waxing brush like {this one} that has curved bristles works best. Prep for waxing by taking a scoop of wax out of the can and putting it on a plastic/paper plate. Then dab your waxing brush on the wax to very lightly cover the end of the bristles and offload any excess by dabbing it on a clean section of the plate:
You do NOT want too much wax on your brush/cloth – applying sparingly to create a thin coat is key!
3. Apply a Thin Coat of Wax
Apply a thin coat of wax to your table using your waxing brush in a back and forth motion in the direction of the grain of the wood. Use mild pressure as you apply the wax to work it in and work in small sections, covering each section before you move on to the next.
It’s not uncommon to lose a few bristles from your brush while waxing so pay attention to any lost bristles and pluck them from your waxed table before it dries. Once you’ve coated the entire table (don’t forget the edges!), use a lint free cloth to wipe off any excess wax, applying pressure with your clean cloth in a back and forth motion.
4. Let Wax Dry & Apply 1-2 More Coats
Let the wax dry completely (I let it dry overnight) and then apply a second thin coat in the same way as the first coat, again wiping off the excess and allowing it to dry. Repeat the process for a third coat. After your last coat of wax, you’re done unless you want a shiny finish (I didn’t want my table shiny so skipped this next step). In this case, once the last coat of wax is dry, buff your table with a clean cloth – the more you buff, the shinier the finish. Then simply wait 2-3 days for the wax to fully cure before putting your table to use!
That’s it! To keep your table protected, it’s recommended that you reapply a layer of wax every year or two. Honestly I never got around to it with our first kitchen table and it’s been fine but it’s definitely something to consider, especially if your table gets a bit more abuse than ours. I hope this answers most of the questions that you guys have about sealing our table but if not, ask away in the comments! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Kris, thank you for this great tip. I’ve been refinishing furniture for years but always spray on some sort of lacquer finish to protect it and it never looks like a natural finish, even after using steal wool to deaden the shine. I’ve been wanting to do a few pieces over in the light wood tones and this will be the perfect finish to use to get the look I want. Your home is gorgeous and I always get inspired when you post projects you’ve done.
That’s so sweet of you to say! Thanks Gail!
This is great information. Your table still looks new. Thank you for always sharing such great DIY tips with us.
Our dining table had to be refinished a few years back (due to a real pumpkin that rotted and the liquid that came from it took the finish off). It was one of those pretty blue-ish pumpkins and I didn’t see the puddle due to several other pumpkins and autumn leaves, until it was too late.
It’s stayed looking like new ever since we had it refinished. Phew!
Karen
Oh no! Such a bummer but I’m glad refinishing did the trick!
Perfect timing for this post! I’m curious to see your samples though. Are you able to share those?
Hi Sarah – I have those samples SOMEWHERE (I made them a few years back). I will share them as soon as I come across them – it’s driving me nuts not being able to figure out where they are!
LOL it’s ok! I totally get it! Thanks for following up, Kris.
Hi! I have The Dakota table that is solid European white oak from crate and barrel and it’s gorgeous but I have to cover it with a tablecloth anytime someone comes over for fear they set down a glass of water for too long. If you do this process can you put water / wine down without worrying about it leaving rings. I’ve been using finishers formula natural beeswax polish but it doesn’t last that long And I would like something more permanent so that I can use my table
Thank you.
For years, I’ve been using paste wax on painted furniture (usually an alkyd satin finish) to tone down the gloss as well as to protect it — I don’t recall now where I picked up that tip, but it works quite well. It makes so much sense that it would work for these tables, too, and I have one in a condo that could use protecting. I had been told by a furniture maker to use gel paste varnish and a very very dry rag. I was afraid to try it having had no experience with that product, so the table has remained as is for a few years. As I’m headed there this weekend, and I’m accustomed to paste wax, I’m on it. Many thanks!
Your table look great. Years & years ago, I used tongue oil on mahogany . That piece of furniture still looks good. There is nothing like a natural wood finish ….
Where did you get the dining bench?
Hi Amy – it’s a DIY – all the details are in this post: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/diy-upholstered-kitchen-banquette-nailhead-trim/
Hi! We have a raw wood table from Crate and Barrel called the Dakota. If you seal it with this wax can you set a glass of water down on it? We also don’t have children and we are super easy on our furniture but was wondering if this protects against leaving rings?
Thank you! Love your site!
Hi Jenie – we haven’t had any issues at all with water rings but we don’t leave glasses sitting out overnight either – we clear everything off after eating. I think the waxing would prevent water rings even if a glass was left on it for an extended period of time but I’ve never personally tested it.
Could you please respond to the questions about rings from water glasses since you have don’t wax on two tables now? I just bought a new table and they say I should add wax, but I don’t want to do that if I am going to get rings from water glasses.
We haven’t had any issues at all with water rings but we don’t leave glasses sitting out overnight either – we clear everything off after eating. I think the waxing would prevent water rings even if a glass was left on it for an extended period of time but I’ve never personally tested it.
Hi there, we’re looking at buying this Pottery Barn table. What size is yours? We’re debating between the 60” extendable and the 70” fixed. Thanks so much!
Mine is the 70″ fixed size.
Hi. I have the Toscana table from PB in Tuscan Chestnut. After a few years, there’s a tiny spot where the original finish is coming off. Will the wax approach work to reseal it if I only do that small spot?
I’m wondering the same thing. We have the Toscana table in chestnut and the finish is wearing off on one side. I have been using cleaner that probably contributes (though not sure why it hasn’t affected the whole table) . Anyway, I’m wondering the same. The darker color does have a lacquer so I’m wondering what the wax would do to that? Thank you!
Unfortunately I don’t know the answer to this – I’ve never tried doing a spot treatment with the wax.
Did this method protect your table from spills? Was it easy to clean after meals (we have an infant and toddler)? We have a Restoration Hardware table that was previously in our dining room and it barely got any use but I plan to make it our daily use table.
Yes, we’ve had our table for over a year and have had our fair share of spills and still don’t have any stains on it. We don’t have young kids like you so it isn’t getting as much daily abuse as yours probably will so I can’t make any guarantees – I can just tell you that I’ve been really happy with how ours has held up!
Did this method change the texture of the table? We just purchased the Toscana table in Seadrift and are concerned about the “rough” finish and about crumbs and dust being trapped in the unfinished table. Did applying wax help “seal” some of those cracks and crevices to prevent this?
What do you use to clean your table after applying the wax?
Thanks! 🙂
Waxing it makes it slightly smoother but not a huge texture change because you’re putting on a really thin coat of wax. I had the same concerns about the texture when I bought mine but it really hasn’t ended up being an issue at all. I simply clean mine with a rag dampened with warm water.
Hi Cori! I was scrolling through to see if anyone else had asked this question before I did. I have two toddlers, and while I love the look of this table, it has not been practical for us. It gets so messy and is so hard to clean. :\ Were you able to find a way to smooth yours out some?
We are thinking of buying the Toscana in Seadrift. Did you do this to your table? How did it go?
we just bought the banks grey wash dining table from pottery barn 6 mo ago, the grey finish starting chipping off. they just came today to replace it but scared it will do it again. was wondering if that is the table you have, looks like the same one in some of your posts. what can I do to prevent chipping or pealing again? I think if it does happen, I will get a refund but I love the piece.
No, that’s not the table that we have. I’m honestly not sure how you would prevent chipping and peeling – putting a protective coat on it might help but I’ve never had to deal with that issue before so don’t have any personal experience trying it.
Thanks so much for the advice as I just bought a pottery barn table and have these concerns. Once I apply the wax, how do you clean the table after meals? Thank you!
I just use a soft cloth and warm water!
Hi there – would you mind sharing what color your PB Toscana dining table is? I love it but I can’t decipher whether it is the “seadrift” color or “gray wash.” Thank you!
It’s the Seadrift finsh!
Hi Kris, Thanks for sharing, I’m so excited to try this! We bought a beautiful table for our kitchen from Home Sense a year ago and I’m tired of keeping covered all the time. With three extension leaves in it is 120 inches long x 54 inches wide. What is your recommendation on how many containers of the wax to buy? – Catherine
One container should be plenty – a little goes a long way with the wax!
Did this protect your table from grown up spills, say a glass of red wine?
What is the best way to sanitize a wood table (I just bought a sea drift banks)? Is there a spray or do you just use water with dish soap?
So glad I found you! Thank you for your insight. Do you have any insight with Polycrylic? I just bought a RH raw wood table and I won’t let anyone use it because I can’t decide on how I want/need to finish it! 4 kids and so I lean towards Polycrylic, but have heard wax would be good too. Any insight?
I have the Banks Pottery Barn Table and it has many grooves in the wood veneer. Would it still be protected well with using the clear wood furniture wax? Also, did you do the wax on all of the table (legs, wood underneath) or just the table top? Have you tried doing it on any wood chairs too?
Wish I saw this before I applied Johnson’s Wax to my RH dining table moments ago. It darkened the wood so it looks wet. I hope it dries overnight. Did you also treat the tressels?
Hi Kris – is your table solid wood and unsealed? I just purchased this RH table and https://rh.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1596003&categoryId=cat10310014 and am wondering if your wax method is the appropriate finish to protect and maintain the look?
thanks!
I recently purchased a teak outdoor table. It will be kept in a covered area throughout the seasons in the northeast, so limited sunlight although it does get hot in the summer. I’m thinking your protective waxing process is best for furniture kept indoors and in temperature controlled areas. Do you have any suggestions for how to protect outdoor teak?
Thanks in advance, Kris!
Hi Kris,
Thank you for this information. I purchased the Benchwright table from The Pottery Barn in the Seadrift finish. Every review complains about the finish chipping and pealing. I had one area start to chip. I knew I needed to use something to protect the top, but wasn’t sure what to use. After reading your page, I purchased the Crystal Clear Wax and followed your directions. I love the way my table turned out. The Crystal Clear Wax added a smooth coat to the table top. It use to feel scratchy, like you could splinter your hand if you rubbed it across the table! Now, it feels smooth and protected. I don’t fear that placing items on it will snag it and cause pealing and chipping. I used a waxing brush to apply the wax, which was perfect to get into all of the grooves in the wood planks. I felt there was a strong oder for the first few hours after applying the product. I used it on the top, sides, and legs of the table. I buffed out the wax and loved the results! It did not darken the color of the finish, but it did add a bit of a polished shine. We haven’t used it with food yet. I’m waiting at least a few days until it cures a bit. Thank you for your advice and your product suggestion. I love the look and feel of my new table top!
Does this smooth out the finish by filling in cracks and crevices in the wood?
Hi Kris. I thought I’d ask you this question. I purchased a beautiful table from someone. I sanded it down, so it’s just raw wood, and it is currently that “RH look”. I’ve been reading for days on how to seal it. I put polycrylic water-based sealer on it, which is supposed to be “crystal clear”, but it darked it immediatly and did not dry clear at all! It was almost as dark as when I bought it. So I sanded that off and am back to the raw. My plan now is to give it a slight white wash, then seal it with wax. Do you know if I can put your “Crystal Clear” wax, over a white wash (which is just paint thinned way down with water)? The wax sounds great, but I just want to wipe it down with a very thin mix of white paint and water. Any thoughts?
I did the 3 coats on my Pottery Barn table on Sunday and Monday this past week (4-5 days ago). It is still tacky in some areas. Will this eventually get better? Advice?
It shouldn’t still be tacky and makes me think that it might have been applied a little too thick in those areas. I would try seeing if there’s any excess you can wipe off with a clean cloth, then buff, and give it another day or so.
How does the Toscana table look now? Any scratches? Thanks!
It still looks great!!
Hello,
this was very informative. Do you think I could apply this to the Pottery Barn parquet coffee table? I am thinking of purchasing that table because I feel it would be a nice choice to go with dark brown leather couches that bronze nailing that same color as the legs. I feel like it would not look so dark if I go with that type of table. Only worried that the wood would get ruined if anyone spills on it. Also, concerned with putting any christmas decorations that have glitter. Hoping that sealing it would make it easer to clean up also.
I’m sure that waxing that table would help protect it but it does look to have some pretty deep grooves in the wood that might not all be reached with the wax…
Hi Kris, I just bought the same table! In your post, you mentioned 2 different waxes you recommend but I’m wondering which of the 2 did you use on this table? Thanks!
Hi Cameron – I used the clear wax shown in the pic 🙂