Thread: Finish on Jarrah Workbench?

Hi sandman,

I've been thinking on the same thing for a while.

For what it's worth, my Grandfathers Bench was finished in linseed oil and it's still going strong (C1911).

I recently made a new workbench also out of Jarrah, I too was unsure of the finish, but I was persuaded by a sales rep for a high quality wood oil company to use a varnish/NC, or similar because oil is great, but if you by chance spill glue or other penetrating substances on the surface then It will blemish. I in hindsight would have used a 2pak hard as you can get finish(maybee something similar to what timber floors are done in (Wattle 7008 A&B). in a gloss.

If you have assembly benches and are certain that no penetrating liquids would spill then a oil based finish would be great.

I would reccomend Organoil if oil is to be used.

regards
tony

My oregon top has Organoil - Hard Burnishing Oil on it. It's recommended for floors and benchtops and the finish is a nice look.
Check out www.organoil.com.au

It is a workbench!!!
Mine, Jarrah and Karri, is finished with whatever got spilled on it over the past 10 years.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Robert WA
[B]It is a workbench!!!

And a nice looking one too !

Rustin's Danish Oil - brilliant stuff. Easily repaired, penetrates, wears well, easy to apply, goes a long way.

Originally posted by Robert WA
It is a workbench!!!
.

Excellent point.
This is the most important thing to remember.


My suggestion is that you put on two coats of Wattyl Matt Estapol, cutting it back between each coat, then, cut it back again and do a final coat with Wattyl's Scandinavian Teak Oil. This finish in my opinion will give you the best of both worlds. The look and feel of an oiled masterpiece, with the depth and protection of the Estapol.
When it gets a bit ratty looking, a light cut back and more oil will bring it back up to scratch.

I agree, it's a workbench.

Ideally the finish needs to be easily replaced since the bench top is likely to be refinished every now and then (you do want to keep it flat, don't you?). I'd avoid anything as durable as a varnish and aim for a finish that can be brushed/rubbed over the existing finish and just blend in.

On my Karri bench I use a light coat of Danish Oil.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Danish oil or Tung oil,

Easy to rejuvenate.

I am going to use some recycled jarrah to make benchtops for my new kitchen. What would be the best finish without getting that plastickity look. I accept that if it does get scratched a little I may have to rub it back and re-apply the finish, but I am prepared for that. Any ideas please?

Don't worry. Got my fingers off their big fat butts and used the search engine and found all that I am looking for. Thanks anyway.

Regards