Tough finish for butcher block work bench?

[FishingMan]

I need suggestions for a tough finish for a maple butcher block work bench im redoing.i need something oil and solvent resistant. Im not going to be beating on the top.i just want it to stay nice.thanks guys

 

[bubinga]

Oil base Poly probably about your strongest.
Other than that, some type of resin finish?

 

[WWheeler]

There's no one perfect finish so you're bound to get all sorts of opinions. I'd look for a good bar top finish. I've had good results with 3 or more coats of Watco Danish Oil. It soaks into the wood so it takes a few coats before you even start to get a noticeable layer on top.

 

[Finky198]

My top is just 2x12s, but I finished them with boiled linseed oil with poly on top. It’s held up well one stain I can not figure out, but all in all it’s a very tough finish. The more coats of the boiled linseed with proper curing seems to be the key to the durability. I rushed it on the drying time and the front is peeling because of it, but it’s still looks sharp...

I Copied this from my tool cart thread
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335578


A little update so I started finishing the top I did 5 coats of linseed oil let cure and then put 3 coats of poly over top, I'll probably do 2-3 more once this cures.

Oh and while the poly dried I built another tool rack for the side.

Attached the tool rack to the side did 2 more coats of poly

There’s a little over a year of heavy daily use in the last pic you can see its not
as shiny, but with a little product... It still looks great. I really need to touch up that front edge

 

[jonesg]

I need suggestions for a tough finish for a maple butcher block work bench im redoing.i need something oil and solvent resistant. Im not going to be beating on the top.i just want it to stay nice.thanks guys

Would you put a cover on an anvil ?

 

[BWS]

Shoot some auto urethane clear on it..... cpl coats and fugitaboutit.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

How big is it and what's your budget? Self leveling epoxy is nice, but pricey.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[bubinga]

I need suggestions for a tough finish for a maple butcher block work bench im redoing.i need something oil and solvent resistant. Im not going to be beating on the top.i just want it to stay nice.thanks guys

There's no one perfect finish so you're bound to get all sorts of opinions. I'd look for a good bar top finish. I've had good results with 3 or more coats of Watco Danish Oil. It soaks into the wood so it takes a few coats before you even start to get a noticeable layer on top.

I've used Minwax tung oil. same difference, it's an oil varnish blend.

Would you put a cover on an anvil ?

probably not he just wants some protection, And to look Nice.
and A big job of finish is moisture resistance.

Finky198 Looks great!


I'd probably go with the Minwax tung oil.or 3 or more coats of Watco Danish Oil, and top with a few coats of poly like WWheeler did. But keep. in mind, if you want to re-coat in the future, you'll need to 1st de-wax (if you wax it, I would) sand the old poly well, before you can re-coat.
What I ended up doing, was just using the minwax tung oil, (about 4 coats), and waxing it, and it looked pretty good.
If you're not crazy about the minwax tung oil results, go ahead and add a few coats of poly. Actually, about 4 coats of
minwax tung oil, And wax don't look 1/2 bad, and offers moisture resistance, due to the varnish mixed in it.

 

[Strouty]

I was told to use equal parts turpentine, varnish, and tung oil. I have not tried it yet, but it sounds easy enough and touch up is easy too, just add another coat. I did use waterlox and it came out pretty good, you just had to wipe it down, almost like polishing it, before it dried completely or it would leave some weird patterns.

 

[seber]

Bubinga is spot on. I recoat with danish oil whenever I know I won't be using it for a while. Maybe once a year.

 

[Finky198]

Bubinga Thanks...

It’s also funny you mentioned oil / wax because that how I finish all my wooden handled tools. I personally prefer linseed oil, but the wax gives It a nice easy to maintain and grippy finish. That doesn’t cause blisters...

 

[TRWham]

Waterlox has many good options. The tung oil based solutions are easier to rework/repair over time, and not brittle like urethane.

 

[FishingMan]

Thanks for the info guys. I just want it to look nice and not get stained by gun oil and solvents