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  1. #1
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    Default What surfaces to finish? Just visible or everything?

    I’ve made a pine workbench frame and want to finish it with danish oil for a bit of extra protection and aesthetics.

    I’m wondering whether I should finish just visible and exposed surfaces? Or is it better to do every surface? I’m thinking maybe doing only some surfaces could lead to disproportionate wood movement or something like that?

    I’m hoping the answer is “just the surfaces I want and leave the rest” as it means less work and less finish required. But happy to do it all if it is the right way to do it.

    cheers

    A1911FF7-6DDC-4411-9369-7EF9DB93CA25.jpeg

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  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by lemerv View Post
    I’m wondering whether I should finish just visible and exposed surfaces? Or is it better to do every surface?
    Just the exposed surfaces will be fine.

    Quote Originally Posted by lemerv View Post
    I’m thinking maybe doing only some surfaces could lead to disproportionate wood movement or something like that?
    You shouldn't have any problem. What Pine did you use and did you glue the joints?.

  4. #3
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    Why not just complete the build first before applying a finish?.

  5. #4
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    Ok thanks. It’s just construction pine that I milled down. Yep all joints glued and screwed.

    The top is just a few sheets of mdf which I’m going to try finishing with shellac.

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by lemerv View Post
    Ok thanks. It’s just construction pine that I milled down. Yep all joints glued and screwed.

    The top is just a few sheets of mdf which I’m going to try finishing with shellac.
    Good job. Shellac works great on mdf but you need to give it plenty of coats, fortunately you don't have to wait long for it to dry between each coat as the shellac dries quick and the mdf sucks the stuff up.

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71 View Post
    Good job. Shellac works great on mdf but you need to give it plenty of coats, fortunately you don't have to wait long for it to dry between each coat as the shellac dries quick and the mdf sucks the stuff up.
    Yep have watched a few videos on mdf and shellac so should be all good. Cheers

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by lemerv
    ... I’m wondering whether I should finish just visible and exposed surfaces? Or is it better to do every surface? I’m thinking maybe doing only some surfaces could lead to disproportionate wood movement or something like that? ...
    You are correct.

    Timber expands and contracts with changes in its moisture content - essentially with changes in humidity. Sealing a surface substantially slows the flow of moisture through that surface. If a surface is left unsealed then humidty will cause that side to expand more than the other causing the timber to bow or cup.

    You should seal all surfaces, including the insides of dog holes, if any. When I am doing it I usually do the end grain first, then all the other surfaces, then the end grain again - this is because it is more absorbant.

  9. #8
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    Maybe take a look at this thread aswell in which wood expansion is talked about.

    Table Construction

  10. #9
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    I always seal all surfaces with at least 2 coats.

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I always seal all surfaces with at least 2 coats.
    Hi Bob,

    Do you do this before or after construction?.

  12. #11
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    Ended up doing all surfaces. Wasn’t too much more work. Cheers

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