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How to seal rubberwood with so it does not yellow?

I have purchased a havea table top from Bunnings to use as a desk top and I would like to seal/protect it. I however, do not want to lacquer it and have it turn yellow over time. I like the idea that lacquer is hard wearing but not sure what type keeps the natural colour of the wood. I have a water based varnish but not sure if all water based varnishes have this quality. I have read that CAB acrylics are good but can’t find anything that says that that’s what it is??

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MitchellMc

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

It was typically older oil-based polyurethanes that suffered from severe yellowing due to sun exposure and age. Modern oil-based versions aren’t as affected, but they can still give timber a honey-coloured hue. Water-based polyurethanes, on the other hand, are generally quite clear and resist yellowing over time, so they should meet your criteria.

I’d recommend using Cabot’s Cabothane water-based, as it provides a durable finish while keeping the natural look of the rubberwood. That said, the water-based varnish you already have will likely work as well. I suggest testing it on the underside of the panel first to see how it looks before committing to the whole surface.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

HandyBird

Thanks Mitchell. This is the varnish I have. I will give it a try on the underside, although how long does it take to start yellowing? I presumed this was an aging and uv exposure problem.

JacobZ

Hi @HandyBird,

The product you have chosen is an interior water-based varnish, so it should not be used in applications where it is regularly exposed to UV. As it is a clear satin varnish, there will be very little if any yellowing from this product.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

HandyBird

Does that include through a window? Or does the type of UV that the glass allows through not cause yellowing? Secondly does the Cabot’s Cabothane have the same problem. It will be used on a desk next to a large window

JacobZ

Hi @HandyBird,

Yes, UV rays will still come through a window.

The product you have chosen is a modern water-based varnish in the same way this Cabot's Cabothane Clear is. Modern water-based varnishes are not yellowing in the same way older oil-based varnishes are.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

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