Thread: Kitchen Benchtop - What Timber is it ? ( Photo )

Baltic pine.

thanks ....Im deciding between Rustins DO or a Wipe on Poly as the finish . Unsure which way to go ....

Certainly looks like some species of pine; to be frank my first impression is that it is homemade from lesser grade construction timber. Lots of knots, relatively narrow planks jointed into a board and I can see a pith line in the middle of the right hand picture.

That's not to say it isn't a well made bench that has lasted a millennia and deserves refurbishment.

As a softwood I would recommend a harder, thicker coating than an oil or wipe on finish. Either normal poly varnish or a two pack. If the wood comes up white when sanded then a stain varnish will improve the look but you either need to spray it or apply a coating of sanding sealer first; otherwise the stain will collect in every tiny little scratch on the surface and highlight them permanently.

Back in 2000 I made some furniture for my then-baby daughter from pine dunnage collected from whichever dockyard I happened to be in at the time; freshly planed it was almost white but would start to darken almost in front of you. I purchased a US brand (Minwax) of poly varnish with a "pecan" stain; two coats applied over a layer of sanding sealer gave a beautifully smooth and even coating that still hasn't deteriorated after all this time. On close inspection you'd barely believe it was a brushed on finish, it was so smooth.

Yes, it is a Northern Hemisphere pine of some sort. It can be difficult to distinguish them. I agree with all of the above. What is significant is that pine is soft, so will mark easily. That is fine, if you are happy with an aged, rustic finish (I love signs of age and some patina so would accept the marks). If you want it to be perfectly smooth then choose one of the harder finishes as Chief Tiff says above. If you want to stain it do not use a spirit stain, they create a very uneven finish on pines because of the inherent resin content and the differential take-up in the early wood/latewood.

thank for the replies great information. Although I like the rustic look the finish on their currently ( although very worn off) does offer some protection and I  thinking the Poly varnish ( harder coating ) as suggested is the what I will go with .Cab anyone suggest a appropriate Poly product that I could use in a Matt and possibly Semi gloss finish ( i will test both finished to see what I prefer)

thanks Again
Mac

I wouldn't go a matte finish, as soon as you get a stain someone with get out the Gumption or Jif and then you'll have a shiny spot that you have to rub to get back to matte again. It will also just go shiny with use but if you are fine with that then go ahead.

I don't know much about finishes so I'll leave that to the others.