Can I treat a wooden table to put it outside?

[3luckystars]

This is probably a very stupid question, I’m sorry if it is but I thought I would ask as there might be someone here who knows, it is Mumsnet

I have a lovely kitchen table that is too big for our kitchen, but it would be an absolutely lovely size for the garden. It’s wood, maybe oak.

Is there any way I could ‘treat’ or paint the table so that we could use it as an outside table?

Its a good solid table and if I sell it second hand I will just get a small amount for it, and I really need a table this size for the garden. It would be great if I could do this as I would be so happy to keep it.

Is such a thing possible?

I use teak oil on my outdoor bench. I keep it covered during the winter/bad weather

I’d use yacht varnish or something and accept that it might not last forever.

If veneered it may not stand up well.

I bought an outdoor garden table, handmade, from Etsy. It arrived and I honestly thought it was too beautiful to be kept outside! Reclaimed wood of some sort. The guy that made it said Osmo Oil is very good.

Id use yacht varnish and keep a close eye on it to see if it needs a touch up through the year and retreat as necessary

I tried it once with a table that was glued planks. Painted it with Cuprinol but the glue still dissolved and it fell apart. I didn't look after it though.

I'm in the exactly the same boat. Lovely 8 seater HEAVY oak table. Far too big for the house but would be lovely for the garden with benches.

Lurking to see if others have done this too!

I’ve been looking at Owatrol Solid Colour Stain - haven’t decided yet but it but looks good and quite good colour choices. Has anyone used it?

You could also use Frenchic Alfresco paint, it's designed for outdoors so should work

Wow thanks very much, I didn’t think anyone would reply, I’m delighted!

I’m going to look into those paints this week, I have never heard of yacht paint.

I would probably have to sand the whole thing back before painting though, that is one of the many jobs I’m no good at. I might get a machine to sand it altogether.

Thanks very much for the replies. I will post a photo if I pull it off!