How to repair a burn mark on bamboo benchtop?

[DonNorman]

 

Hi everyone,

I accidentally placed a hot pot directly on my bamboo benchtop and it left a dark burnt circle (photo attached). I’d like to ask for advice on how to repair it.

Is light sanding + oil/wax enough, or do I need to sand deeper and re-finish the area?

Are there any recommended products from Bunnings (wood filler, stains, oils, etc.) that would help blend the repair with the rest of the surface?

Alternatively, has anyone tried turning such a burnt spot into a feature with epoxy resin or wood stain?

I’d really appreciate any suggestions, especially step-by-step tips or product recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

[EricL]

Hello @DonNorman 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your bamboo benchtop.

Let's explore the repair option first. If you know if your benchtop was oiled, waxed or sealed then the burn mark will need to be sanded off and the appropriate oil, wax or sealer placed over the bare area. If the benchtop was painted with a polyurethane sealer the same steps could be applied, but the new polyurethane sealer would stand out because it will not match the old sealer which has been seasoned. The same thing would happen if the benchtop was varnished. The only way to get a uniform finish is to sand the entire benchtop and re-seal it with your preferred sealer. Still a good option when you compare it to replacing the whole benchtop.

It's important to know what was originally placed to seal your benchtop otherwise an incorrect sealer or an opposing wax or oil could end up becoming a bigger stain on your benchtop. A nice basic sealer for example, is the Cabot's 1L Satin Clear Benchtop Timber Finish. It's a water-based sealer that's easy to apply and provides excellent protection for your benchtop. But is it compatible with your existing sealer? I would not be able to say. So, the option of full restoration of the benchtop must always be taken into consideration when you are planning your repair work. 

Burn marks rarely come out this perfect. They often come semi staggered and incomplete as the person putting the hot pot down gets notified in high decibel notes that the pot is hot and the table is bare. If you are open to the idea, you could hire a wood burning artist also known as a pyrographer to turn that burn mark into a piece of art that will turn it into a talking point for years to come. There is also the option of using epoxy resin and turning it into a feature with ocean waves and sand effects. Turning your burn mark into a fantastic piece of art is definitely possible and something that you'll need to discuss at length.

Here are some handy step-by-step guides: How To Restore Furniture and How To Restore A Timber Coffee Table (the techniques used are applicable to your benchtop)

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[DonNorman]

Hi EricL,

Thanks so much for your thorough reply and the clear steps on repairing the burn mark on our bamboo benchtop! I appreciate the reminder to confirm what it was originally sealed with before sanding and re-sealing, and the note that a full restoration may be needed for a uniform finish. I’ll look into the Cabot’s Satin Clear Benchtop Timber Finish you suggested and proceed carefully.

Really grateful for your help, and for setting expectations that burn marks don’t always come out perfectly. I’ll report back on how we go.

Warm regards,

Don

[Noyade]

I think @EricL is absolutely spot on - turn a tragedy into a triumph with a story behind it.

Is the burn close to the stove?

No, it's not a bench-top @DonNorman - but the burn was so extensive I sanded out a 8 mm 'divot' and now call it an "egg story facility" - ready for cooking. No one has countered my story.

Hard to tell from the photo - but it is quite deep. The trick is to blend the crater with very gentle angles.

Cheers and good luck.