Finish for a plywood topped woodworking bench.

**tomnewby** · 1st May 2009, 10:56 AM

Hi

I've finished making the top of my workbench. And despite some misgivings by some forum members I used three sheet of 18mm chipboard topped and edged with 19mm hardwood ply.

So now I have to put a finish on. I've been trying some things on some scrap. First I tried a turps/BLO mix. That was ok, but it kind of "waterlogged" it. I then moved onto straight BLO, but that was even worse. It made it almost soggy.

Last night I tried some meth/white shellac (about 50/50)... It looked quite good. I'll check it again when I get home tonight and see how it has dried. This is the current "winner". It doesn't appear to leave the ply soggy. And I'm hoping it adds a bit of durability. And it also keeps the ply looking light coloured. Something I need in my dark underhouse shed.

What I am searching for is only a light coat of something that wont leave the top slippery. I still want some timber on timber grip. And something that will leave the ply light coloured.

Is it worth me buying some Danish oil to try out? Has anyone used it on plywood??

And is Organoil "danish oil"?

Cheers
Tom

**tomnewby** · 1st May 2009, 10:07 PM

I got home and checked the 50/50 meth/white shellac. Its come up trumps. Left the ply light coloured, its not gluggy or thick. The wood still has grip, yet feels a bit protected and sealed. I think its good enough for me.

Thanks for all your responses.

Tom

**derekh** · 1st May 2009, 11:11 PM

Tom,

Thanks for your post and reply, I found the information useful as I need to redo the top of my workbench soon.

cheers
Derek

**tomnewby** · 1st May 2009, 11:15 PM

Derek, I was doing to some looking on Fine Woodworking website, and found an article about tuning up a workbench. The guy used a thin amber shellac - 3 parts meth to one part shellac. 2 coat sanded in between with 220 grit. and then rub some wax in with steel wool, and then buff.

however that was on solid wood not plywood.

**mic-d** · 2nd May 2009, 08:53 AM

Tom I almost replied, but thought you were on the right track with shellac. The BLO will eventuallly harden off but as you discovered, darkens the wood, as will any oil finish. You could also use Feast Watson proof seal, but it's more expensive than shellac. Also any oil varnish diluted in turps to a minimum of 50:50 will do too.

Cheers
Michael

**tomnewby** · 3rd May 2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks Michael. Is Danish oil the same as varnish oil?

I probably wont use it but am curious. I've done two coats of the diluted white shellac. Its what i'll be using. comes up a treat.

**Johncs** · 7th May 2009, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by tomnewby

Thanks Michael. Is Danish oil the same as varnish oil?

I probably wont use it but am curious. I've done two coats of the diluted white shellac. Its what i'll be using. comes up a treat.

Roughly speaking, it's a mixture of oil and spar varnish.

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