Share
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community nigel (@NKReno25). It's fabulous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about coating timber.
If you’re after a natural matt look for your Tasmanian Oak, you’ve got a couple of good options. Oils like tung oil are a popular choice because they really bring out the natural colour and grain of the timber without leaving a noticeable sheen. A product such as Feast Watson Kitchen Timber Oil would give you that subtle, natural finish while still offering some protection.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a bit more durability, especially on cabinet tops that will see daily use, you could go with a matt-sheen polyurethane. Something like Cabot’s Matt Water Based Cabothane Clear Polyurethane provides superior protection compared to oils, but because it’s a matt finish, it won’t add gloss or make the surface look overly “coated.”
The choice comes down to how natural you’d like the timber to look. If you want to preserve that raw, uncoated feel, an oil will be the better option. If you’d like peace of mind that the surface can withstand knocks, spills, and cleaning, then a matt polyurethane is the way to go.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
