Hi there,
I have purchaed thjs timber panel to build a office table. I thought it was simple where I just need to buy table legs and i am done. However, the instruction says that I need to apply a finish to it e.g) wax or oil.
As i am new to all this, I am looking for some guidance to my questions:
1. Should I apply wax or oil? And what is the difference between the two?
2. Is wax or oil really required?
3. Do I need to sand the table top, or can I just apply the wax/oil directly?
4. Does the wax/oil need to be applied to the entire table top (top, bottom, side) or can I get away with not doing the bottom?
4. What is the best application for wax or oil? What sort of brush do I need?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-1800-x-600-x-18mm-timber-panel-beech-fj-laminated_p0415273?store=7216&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAyJS7BhBiEiwAyS9uNWWmPCWT0RWJgsIsnZRERxoLltVIP6NkzHMhjT6Fy0rwg6a-6_HsRRoCiKoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Hi @Pete112
I wouldnt wax or oil it as its your office table those oils can come out and stain you papers on top soon after appliing it and it will need redoing in years to come.
Also approved by manufacturer
I would clear varnish your table top and (underneath too a once off) once as it stops stains getting into the wood and it really never needs maintenace unless the table top gets scratched up.
You can also add stain to your table top and change its color or just plain clear either in a satin or gloss finish,
When you are buying double check if it is clear or tinted or gloss or satin ask the paint people to help you here. So a reasonably good brush 50mm wide will see you finishing the job in no time. a small foam roller brush will leave no brush marks.
I would apply 3 to 4 coats just to protect the table top for many years to come maybe forever.
A good indoor varnish selection is
https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-250ml-gloss-clear-varnish_p1520126
Or
https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-250ml-clear-satin-varnish_p1564540
Hi @Pete112,
A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.
It's great to see @Jewelleryrescue has already jumped in to provide some advice.
The Specrite 1800 x 600 x 18mm Beech Timber Panel comes unfinished, meaning it is raw timber with no coating. You don't necessarily need to add a coating to it, but if a liquid is spilled on it, it will penetrate the timber which can cause warping, discolouration and if left unchecked, rot.
There are a variety of options in terms of wax, oil or varnish, with pros and cons to each.
Wax, such as this Feast Watson Soft Wax is easy to apply with a cloth, maintains the wood's natural look and feel with a soft, satin finish and will offer basic protection from scratching and liquids. However, it does not penetrate deeply into the timber, will require regular reapplications and offers the least protection of the three options mentioned.
Oil, such as Gilly's 100% Pure Tung Oil will maintain a similar finish to wax, but it will penetrate deeper into the timber and offer more protection from liquids. It is relatively easy to apply and can be done with a cloth in the same way wax will. Of the three options, this would be my choice for your project.
Varnish, such as Cabot's Cabothane Clear Varnish will offer the highest level of protection to the timber as it forms a protective coating on the outside of the timber. The downside to this is the timber will lose its natural feel and some of its natural look.
These timber panels come fairly smooth from the production process, but it is worth giving it a once over with some 120 Grit Sandpaper to ensure it is as smooth as possible before applying your product. After sanding, brush the surface down to remove any sawdust.
For wax and oil, I'd suggest applying it with a microfibre cloth, for varnish, use a foam roller.
Let me know what you think and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
Do I need to oil/wax, then apply the vanish? Or can I apply the vanish directly as one and only one stage?
You would only apply one product.
If varnish is your choice, you would only apply varnish.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
May be a silly question but the varnish is not food safe. So if I placed a sandwich on the timber, is it safe to eat?
Or is food safe more for chopping boards where you'll actually cut into the vanish/oil?
Food safe ratings are more concerned with surfaces being used for the preparation of food. I wouldn't suggest preparing food on it, but you won't have any issues placing a sandwich on it for a small amount of time.
Let me know if there is anything else I can assist with.
Awesome, thanks so much! I ended up going with your recommendation of the oil application and it's awesome!
One question I had while applying it. Should I apply the oil horizontally (longest side end to end) or vertically (shortest side end to end).
Here is my progress so far!
?
Nice choice.
You can apply the oil in any direction just enough for it to soak in.
I like to polish off the remaining excess using a circular motion like buffing a car.
I then use a fresh final cloth like microfibre for the final polish.
It is quite a process I must say. I have to wait 24hrs between coats and the manufacturer recommended 3-4 coats. I am not diluting it either.
I might just do 2 coats at the bottom, and 3-4 on the top and sides.
Reason why i went oil is that i can use this on chopping boards too!
It won't make a massive difference, but oiling in the direction of the grain is generally recommended. This would mean applying it vertically, running from the bottom of your image to the top.
Don't forget to post an update once it's finished. I'd love to see how it looks when you're done.
My timber board have curved after applying the product. Is this expected?
Should I place weights on the corner to keep it flat?
Hello @Pete112
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your beech timber panel.
The timber will start curving if left exposed too long uncoated or unprotected. It's vital that you coat the timber as soon as possible once you remove the plastic covering. I propose using an oil coating over the top and bottom of the panel. The sides must be coated as well to prevent further moisture contamination.
I suggest putting weights on the corners of the panel to try and straighten it out. An ordinary paint brush will be enough to spread the oil evenly.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
I wish I knew this earlier 🙁 can it be saved or am I going to have to live with a bent table top? I've put about 15kg on each corner but it doesn't seem to be going down or will it take time?
Should I leave it with weights on, or should I start oiling it asap? The tung oil takes a very long time to apply and afraid it might get worst but I can't put the weight ontop of wet oil right or else it won't dry nicely? What should I do?
As timber comes from trees that don't always grow perfectly straight, the grain structure of the timber can cause it to warp when liquids are applied. This can be expected with natural timber products, but a severe curve is not acceptable and should not be expected from a single application of oil.
Can you add a photo looking at the full extent of the short side of the panel that shows the full curve?
You can add weights to the corners of the benchtop panel to counteract some of the curvature, but if it is a severe curve, this might not fully reverse the problem.
You can also screw timber across the underside of the timber to help pull it back to a perfectly flat surface, but this may detract from the aesthetic.
If the curve is too severe, your best option may be to return to the store of purchase and exchange it for a new one. I am happy to help facilitate this if required.
Let me know what you think.
As I've used quite abit of tung oil already, I'm going to see if I can save the timber it as the oil is quite expensive. I've added about 30kg on each side of the bench and it seems to have helped significantly overnight. I am going to add more oil to get the timber wet and add more weights on the other side as there is still a bend to it.
Do you think it will curve again? Is it only curving at the time of oil application that I should be concerned about?
As mentioned by my colleagues, once the timber is removed from its packaging, it begins to acclimatise to the new environment. Some slight distortion could be expected if the new environment is quite moist, but this cupping is quite extensive. You might like to place a piece of timber in the middle to raise the panel so the weights are more effective in reversing the distortion.
Once oiled and the issue is corrected, it most likely will not occur again. However, if you have any further issues, then I would suggest returning the panel. If you speak to a manager and mention you've used a significant quantity of oil, I trust they would find it reasonable to replace the oil for you. Let me know if you intend to return the panel, and I'd be more than happy to contact the store to arrange the replacement panel and oil.
Let me know how you go.
Mitchell
