Experienced Woodworkers I have a few questions.

[camoninja]

What is something that I can go over my wifes living room furniture that will protect it from grandkids lol. Some type of wax ? It is a very dark color.

Also can I go over her cedar chest that I am redoing with teak oil ?

Thank you.

 

[Gollnick]

There is no magic coating to protect the wood from the ravages of children.

Having glass tops cut for the tables will give some protection. But, the solution is supervision.

 

[parbajtor]

Teak oil tends to go gummy rather than hard and is quite dark.
Boiled Linseed oil actually hardens and is lighter so might be better suited.
Another solution to better resist knocks would be to use a brushing lacquer.

EDIT: Lacquers will leave a white ring from a hot coffee mug, but a hair dryer or ironing through brown paper easily removes them.

 

[camoninja]

Thanks for the info Parbajtor.

 

[Big Barn]

Instead of teak oil, maybe Tung oil. When that soaks in & dries - it hardens. I use tung oil on my carved chess pieces/sets. It will cause the wood to darken a little bit, so I'd try in a hidden area first.

 

[BA_Colt]

If you want to use a wax use butcher's wax also known as bowling alley wax.

 

[dustycanuck]

+1 on the Tung Oil.
And IIRC, the natural stuff is food-grade, good for salad bowls, and hence child-chewed furniture. The non-pure stuff has driers, so not good to eat.
One of my coworkers just suggested bubble-wrap, but I think that was for the kids, ha ha.

 

[camoninja]

LOL Thanks fellas.

 

[A.W.U.K.]

I would say no boisterous play in the living room
Reading and other quiet activities only.
If you haven't got another room with more forgiving or less valuable furniture, how about putting up a cheap wooden shed as a playhouse or den for when the weather is too bad to play outside?