What shall I say/advise carpenter about his oak table?

[Gobblygook]

We had an oak table made by a carpenter I've worked with for years. Lovely table, awful varnish - I have no idea why he varnished like e did without asking but... Anyway he stripped the top and then used Danish oil like id wanted.

But unlike our worktop (done by a different person) which is rich looking and smooth, the table top looks looks pale and like no oil has penetrated - if that makes sense. We've used it once and already it's made a
Mark.

He's coming back tomorrow and I want to speak to him about it - but say what? He'll say that it's has three coats of Danish oil now - but I read that if it's been stripped off a varnish the wood can become drier and less porous

Any thoughts to get the result I want?

bump

No not same timber

But I think its the varnish he put on originally that's dried it out even more.

Can't you just keep oiling it? Any oil will do - cooking oil etc?

I would ask exactly what Product was first applied and what was the second - get the ingredients. I would then call the manufacturer of the second product to see if there are known problems using it over an existing (although stripped) finish.

Also although the same timbers may be used for work tops and table, as they're not from the same tree you won't get the same end result. Danish oil will darken considerable over time.

I wonder if the varnish filled up the pores and thus the Danish oil cannot penetrate.

He may need to plane the tabletop and take off a good few mms before oiling it again, it sounds like the varnish is still present.

Perhaps just ask him what he used to strip the varnish off, as it doesn't look right? Just because he's a professional doesn't mean he can't make mistakes! Hopefully he'll be able to redo it, but as this would be its 3rd finish, he'll prob be getting quite sick of it!