How to preserve wooden surface?

[Deleted]

My son got this train table for his birthday last year. At that time we thought we were only going to have one child so it never occurred to me to do anything to preserve or take care of the surface for future kids. Now that we have another on the way I have started looking at things in a different light. I myself never had any heirlooms or toys passed to me from my parent's time. I think wooden toys would be great for my kids to pass on their kids and I would love to start with preserving this wooden train table. The sides I figure can be repainted at anytime to mask nicks and dings down the line. But the surface has these roads and water and such and I would love to find something to either lay on top like a piece of glass or something else see through which the train tracks can then be placed on top of. It wouldn't take away from the play, but it would also help keep that surface from being scratched up. Here is a picture of the train table I just snapped:



I have never done anything like this in the past so it is new to me. I started by measuring the inside of the train table top and it's roughly 31.5 inches by 45.5 inches (0.2 inches added to those measurements to be exact). The lip itself from the edges to where the surface boards (with the roads and such) sit is only 0.2 inches. Any thoughts?

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'd use something like this instead of glass, since it won't shatter and create shards:
www.bing.com/search?q=.125+plexiglass+sheets+4+X+4&go=Submit&qs=n&form=QBLH&scope=web&pq=.125+plexiglass+sheets+4+x+4&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=7B2D159733094271B7176013398E16F1&toHttps=1&redig=790F62089BF54BF0AC9C40D35B2CA545

[Deleted]

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been surfing the web about this and seen that people are also preserving wood surfaces with oil or paint.

[Bear Foot Farm]

Jun 11, 2016 16:00:12 GMT @rachelmcmurtrie said:

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been surfing the web about this and seen that people are also preserving wood surfaces with oil or paint.

There are some clear finishes you could use but I don't think they would give as much protection to the scenes already painted.

Oils might even dissolve some of what is already there.

[feather]

Polyurethane over paint (that is already there) would give it a layer of protection and it's clear.
More layers, more protection.

[Bear Foot Farm]

Jun 11, 2016 20:05:29 GMT feather said:

Polyurethane over paint (that is already there) would give it a layer of protection and it's clear.
More layers, more protection.

That could also be a printed decal instead of "paint", which is actually far more likely

[feather]

Jun 11, 2016 23:03:02 GMT Bear Foot Farm said:

Jun 11, 2016 20:05:29 GMT feather said:

Polyurethane over paint (that is already there) would give it a layer of protection and it's clear.
More layers, more protection.

That could also be a printed decal instead of "paint", which is actually far more likely

If it is in fact a decal, are you saying that you believe polyurethane will dissolve or melt the decal (messing it up?) instead of just being coated with a thin layer of the polyurethane? I'm not sure I can buy that. I'm guessing the only way she can tell what will happen is to test it in a small area.

[Deleted]

Actually really like the idea of a see through coat of polymer (I believe it is) rather than another piece on top. Will have to check it out and try a test area first if I decide to go this route. Thanks!

[feather]

Rachel, you see that part of the design where it is blue water, with white lines and then brown 'ground' next to it? I'd test it out in the water portion, so if it blurs in anyway, it won't take away from the overall design. Have fun and I hope it works out well!

[Deleted]

That's a good idea for a test patch (I was initially going to try a corner) feather, thanks!

[feather]

I use an oil based poly product, and for cleaning use mineral spirits or paint thinner. There is also a water based poly product which can be cleaned up with water. Generally it is thought that the oil based is stronger, lasts longer, stays shiny longer, and is less expensive. The water based product gives off less fumes if that matters to you. Rachel, I'm expecting 'after' pictures!

[Deleted]

I'll have to look into oil vs water based, thanks didn't know about that. I will make sure to post after pictures for you since you asked