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How to protect SpecRite Merbau hardwood panel?

Hello everyone,

I am excited to be part of such a knowledgeable group.

I have a question regarding the SpecRite Merabu wood panel I purchased yesterday for my laundry project. I am aware that this type of wood is prone to staining, but despite lightly sanding the panel, vacuuming off the dust, and wiping it down, I noticed some unusual yellow lines on the wood. It appears as though there is some sort of filling in these areas.

I applied Bondall Timber Bench Top (Linseed Oil) to protect it before installing the bench top but the yellow filling are showing even more. However, after reading several posts, it seems that linseed oil alone may not suffice as it will still allow staining. I'm now left wondering if I can remove the oil and start over, or if I need to wait for it to dry before attempting a different method.

Additionally, I had to cut the wood and noticed that even the parts which are not oiled yet Image (8).jpg

have these yellow fillings. It's a bit disappointing as it detracts from the beautiful, natural look of the wooden slab, making it appear rather old.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions you may have. Do you think this could be a defect in the wood itself, or is there something I am doing incorrectly? Do i need to sand it more aggressively ?

Thank you in advance for your help

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MitchellMc

You could strip the oil with the New Timber Prep and move over to a varnish @JohnHopper.

If you were to use something like the Bondall 1L Merbau Monocel Stain And Varnish then that could potentially help stain those flecks and disguise them.

Mitchell

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MitchellMc

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

Is it the yellowish tinge to the timber I've marked in green below that you're enquiring about, or the smaller flecks I've circled in red? The green area is just a natural variation in the timber colour. The red-circled flecks could be capillaries or just the timber grain that has filled with sawdust. They potentially could have been wiped out if the timber was cleaned down with a damp, lint-free cloth prior to oiling. They are not a filler and not a defect as such. If you're not happy with the appearance, then I would suggest returning to the store of purchase and discussing the issue with the team there. However, I suspect that other panels would exhibit a similar fleck to them.

A stain could help conceal them, but it sounds like you are going for the more natural look, so that might not suit.

Provide the linseed oil is applied in a sufficient amount of coats to saturate the timber, it will become resistant to spills and staining. However, it's not a non-porous coating such as a varnish.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

JohnHopper

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for looking into this... Yes I am talking about the red circles.... they are all over the panel...If i apply another layer of oil after 72 hours do recogn it might fille it?

Sorry I forgot to mention earlier, Yes i did use a damn cloth after each. Soo i started with a sand, vacuum it and then use a light damn cloth to clean wipe it, waited for the wood to completely dry and then apply the first coat of oil.

Well the only problem is I have cut the wood to the size i wanted soo returning it wont be possible now. too late 🙁

One more question please, When do you suggest i apply the last protective coat like a matt varnish? should i apply 3 layers of oil first with a interval of 72 hours in between each and then go for the final coat?

MitchellMc

Hi @JohnHopper,

I do not believe that another layer of oil will correct the issue.

You could only apply an oil or a varnish. A varnish wouldn't be compatible over an oiled surface.

Mitchell

JohnHopper

Hi @MitchellMc

Do you mean varnish will not work on an oiled surface right?

any other suggestion you can give to cover the yellow lines and then seal it as its a laundry so dont want the clothes to get the red stains if not sealed properly?

or if i sand it more aggressively you recon i can go down enough soo the yellow lines smoothen out?

John

MitchellMc

Yes, that's correct @JohnHopper. The varnish would need to be applied over raw timber.

I think the yellow lines are just a natural trait of Merbau, and unless you were to use a stain product on them to try and change the colour (which will also affect the colour of the rest of the timber), then there's likely not much you could do. When I laid my Merbau deck I noticed this same yellow fleck on quite a few of the boards. It's obviously more noticeable on a benchtop, though.

Does the reverse side also show similar flecks?

You could potentially try sanding more, and you might get rid of some. However, sanding might also expose more the deeper you go.

Mitchell

JohnHopper

Yeah i did Merbau panels at the start of last year around my pool and covered it with Caborts Natural Decking Oil as its totally exposed to WA summers, but still in winters i noticed the stains after the rain... I dont mind as it looks great around the pool and privacy too... Image (9).jpg

but those panels didnt had any of the yellow lines...

Yes its on both sides... as its wrapped when buying it i didnt notice it at that time.. it goes exposed once the oil is applied..

soo my last question as i cannot return it, how to work around it to make it usable...I was reading a similar post and they suggested Cabot's New Timber Prep first to remove the old oil and then protect it with Cabot's 1L Satin Clear Benchtop Timber Finish ?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Bathroom-and-Laundry/How-to-cure-a-Merbau-benchtop/td-p/145022/page/2

Last question

MitchellMc

You could strip the oil with the New Timber Prep and move over to a varnish @JohnHopper.

If you were to use something like the Bondall 1L Merbau Monocel Stain And Varnish then that could potentially help stain those flecks and disguise them.

Mitchell

JohnHopper

@MitchellMc Thanks alot for the advice.. I will go grab the New Timber Prep and remove the oil... and then apply the Varnish...

will give you an update once its all completed.. and do i need to wait for oil to dry or i can use the Timber Prep straight away? its not even been 24 hours since i applied the first coat of oil?

JohnHopper

@MitchellMc thanks alot for the advice. I will go grab the Timber Prep now and also the Varnish...I will keep you posted with the final finish which I am sure will be great.... 🙂

Can i use the Timber Prep today or i have to wait for the oil to dry? its not been 24 hours since i have applied my first quote?

MitchellMc

No, you can start stripping the oil now, and that is probably better than waiting for it to dry fully @JohnHopper.

Please also remember that if you are unsatisfied with the product, it could be worth speaking with a manager at the store to discuss whether anything can be done. However, I think it might be difficult to supply a panel without these flecks, given they only appear after a coating is applied.

Mitchell

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