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How to remove stripes in Merbau benchtop panel?

Why am I getting stripes in my merbau panel / benchtop and how do I fix it?

I purchased a specrite merbau panel to make a benchtop in a bar area. I prepared the panel by cutting it to size, sanding it and removing any dust with a clean dry rag. I then applied 3 coats of Cabot's Benchtop Clear in satin finish to all sides. I rolled the full length of the panel and in the direction of the grain. I also lightly sanded between each coat.

Wondering why it looks to have stripes? Can I fix this? If so, how?

Thanks

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @GirlSquad. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Merbau panels.

I'm so sorry to hear you've have an issue with your Merbau panels.

Could you take a look at the timber for me and see if you can determine whether these lighter portions are over the joins in the Merbau timber? Given their uniformity, I suspect this might have to do with the glue used to adhere the timber pieces together. It might be a case of needing to stain the timber first before clear coating to achieve a uniform finish.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

GirlSquad

Thanks Mitchell. It's a bit hard to tell but think that yes it could be on the joins. The stripes were not visible prior to applying the benchtop clear coat.

JacobZ

Hi @GirlSquad,

It certainly looks like the marks are Finger joints in the timber.

The joints and the glue used in them were likely made more obvious when you applied your clear coat.

As Mitchell has said, it might be a case of needing to stain the timber first before clear coating to achieve a uniform finish.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Jacob

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