I sliced a big cookie from an ash round that was in my garage for four years. I just got a hand planer to smooth out the chainsaw marks and grooves. Still learning to use the planer...so no judgment!! I plan on belt sander next, then orbital. And finish with something (suggestions?). I don’t want to use epoxy because I want more matte finish. Side 1. It was exposed for four years. Figure it’s done cracking. But the cracks have chips that have me concerned. I will fill up with wood putty but not sure if the chips will dislodge or whatever. Side 2...looks pretty good. My main concern is that since it wasn’t exposed it’s got more cracking to do.
You can always fill/seal with epoxy and then final coat with a matte finish. That’s gonna look awesome when yer done. Legs up under it for a table?
My wife has thinned oil based poly and filled holes. Let it dry. Sand. Repeat until hole is filled. Then do 2 or 3 thin coats with light sanding between coats. The imperfections are part of the natural look of the wood.
thanks for the tip. I need to look into how to finish epoxy as far as the legs...yeah I figured under would be better.
Oil based Poly, use a little mineral spirits. Makes it soak in to the cracks. Takes some time cause ya gotta let it dry between coats, but it looks good. She used it on old cracked picture frames.
Check out this countertop on This Old House. They filled the cracks and other imperfections with epoxy and then used a different matte finish over everything. I think it looks great. The countertop is shown at time 9:00.
Why I oughta... TBT, I forgot about the thread title when I typed my response. So there, I’ve admitted it.
Get some table top epoxy. It will fill and seal in one step. You will have to tape off the bottom to keep it from leaking out of those checks/cracks. Go after it with some 40 then 60 grit on the belt sander, then 80, 120 on orbital. No need to go more than that if using epoxy finish for that imperfect piece of wood.