How to seal an Acacia timber benchtop?

[nooselec]

I have purchased Practa 2200 x 600 x 26mm Acacia Timber Benchtop from Bunnings. Which product should I use to seal this timber as suggested on website

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @nooselec. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about sealing a project panel.

You can use a natural oil such as Bondall Monocel Bench Top oil. This tung oil will penetrate deeply into the timber and nourish and protect it. It's also food-safe.

Remember to follow the acclimatisation steps for your panel. The panel needs to be laid flat in the room it will be used in for a 48hours period directly before installation. You'll then be able to apply your oil and install the panel.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Mitchell

[PujDD]

Hi @MitchellMc . I have also just bought the Practa Solutions Acacia benchtop - in my case, it's to use as the top of a shoe rack. 

I'm considering oiling it or using a polyurethane finish to help bring out the richness in the colour and help protect it from scratches etc (I am sure we will often drop shopping bags, keys, or mail on the benchtop on our way into the house)

I notice that the benchtop is advertised as having a "natural, uncoated finish" - does this mean I can just oil it without sanding? Do you have any products or you recommend?

I've also got an offcut that I think would make a great chopping or charcuterie board. Is the Bondall Monocel still your recommended food safe finish?

Thanks!

[MitchellMc]

Hi @PujDD,

You can coat the panel as is, but if it's at all rough to the touch, it would be best to give it a light sanding with some 320-grit sandpaper to smooth it beforehand. I'd recommend using Cabot's Cabothane as your clear polyurethane coating. To bring out the richness in colour, it would be best to use the oil-based version rather than the water-based.

For the chopping board, I would still recommend the Bondall Monocel Bench Top oil.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[PujDD]

HI @MitchellMc , so I finally got around to looking at this and I realised that I actually bought the SpecRite Acacia Panel! Not the Practa like I thought. 

This panel is actually advertised as coming pre-oiled. 

So the question is, is there any benefit to re-oiling the piece that I've installed on my shoe rack? 

And do I need to oil the chopping board piece with the Bondall Monocel? If so, do I need to sand it back first for the new oil to drink in? 

Thanks! 

[EricL]

Hello @PujDD 

If the panel is pre-oiled, please don't paint it over it with oil again, eventually the oil will evaporate. When that time comes the timber will look pale as all the oil has dissipated. That's the time you sand it down and re-oil it. But if you wish to re-oil now, you'll need to sand the oil off and then paint it with the new oil. As to the chopping board, yes you can paint it Bondall Monocel and yes, you'll need to sand it before you paint it.

If you need further assistance, please let me know

Eric

[PujDD]

Thanks @EricL 

how far back do we need to sand it to get it ready for oiling for the chopping board? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @PujDD,

There's no need to be excessive with your sanding if the offcut is already fairly smooth.

A light sand with some 180-grit sandpaper will be fine.

Once sanded, gently run your hand over the timber to assess. If you feel any rough spots give them another light sand.

Make sure to clean off any saw dust before oiling.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob