Old Work Bench Restoration

Gooday
I've acquired my old man's old work bench. My daughter has taken a shine to it. My project is to bring some character back to it.
The bench itself is to serve as a central bench in her kitchen !!
And pretty much 'as is'. She loves the textures,colours , stains etc. Go figure !
All that I am required to do is to wire brush the top, clean the rest and coat inside initially with zinser, later white .
The rest can just be waxed over. I'll drop some marble in the top recesses.
My question/s relate to the top surface. I've wire brushed the timber, it has wide cracks which I will probably need to fill with some coloured epoxy or some flexible /coloured filler.
Open to suggestion.
The bench was in the open elements for months, had rabbits living in it. I've soaked/scrubbed it inside and out with cleaning vinegar and water. Its now had a few weeks to dry.
The surface...what would others recommend I used to maintain the authentic look, but give the timber back its 'moisture' so to speak...apply wax , clear finish ? eg. Dimension 4 and Clear intergrain ?
Cheers

Ian
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Hi Ian,
this looks like a great project! The top will really pop after you work it. I'd be getting everything flat again, removing as much grey as possible. Repairing any holes with timber inserts , shims or resin as needed. New set of doors for the bottom to match the rest of the kitchen. Spaying it white as mentioned and finish the top with tung oil or Danish oil. Of course scoring some major brownie points from the daughter! Post some pic as you go!

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Originally Posted by jasons673

Hi Ian,
this looks like a great project! The top will really pop after you work it. I'd be getting everything flat again, removing as much grey as possible. Repairing any holes with timber inserts , shims or resin as needed. New set of doors for the bottom to match the rest of the kitchen. Spaying it white as mentioned and finish the top with tung oil or Danish oil. Of course scoring some major brownie points from the daughter! Post some pic as you go!

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Thanks for your suggestions. After the plugging of holes etc...its been suggested to seal with 'Thompsons' sealer, then use beeswax...thoughts on that ?
Cheers

Hi Ian, how are things progressing? I've not used the Thompsons sealer, don't know much about it. Like most things woodworking its trial and error.
Jason

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jasons673

Hi Ian, how are things progressing? I've not used the Thompsons sealer, don't know much about it. Like most things woodworking its trial and error.
Jason

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Thanks for your interest. Have been distracted...due to other project. A hardwood timber bench for our hair salon. 6 metres long ( 2 pieces) , 75 mm thick, 350 deep. Timber from a bridge in Hillend. NSW. Wire brushed, sanded, oiled ...set on piers and bagged ....Greek/ Moroccan style. A gem !
to date I've wire brushed the bench only....keep you posted.
cheers
ian