Bar Top, what finish?

[danst96]

Another question in relation to the bar im currently working on.

I have decided to go with a red oak bar top which i am going to stain black. The bar top will feature a undermount prep sink as well as a drip tray and glass rinser (attached). I want a pretty low profile top so will probably end up with a 3/4" thick top.

Im unsure what stain and finish would be best for this as the top will get a bit of abuse and im particularly worried about around the sink, should i be using some kind of epoxy finish or would Rubio Monocoat work for this? Im not scared to have to refinish the top from time to time.

Glad of any input on this.

 

[baldkev]

Maybe an opportunity to give black tinted epoxy a go? A couple of test pieces would be a good experiment

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I did a couple of bars with Rustin's Plastic Coating. One I know was taken out after 33 years of not being retouched. It had worn through a little on the edges, though.

 

[danst96]

Im not after a high gloss finish thats my concern. i guess my main question is, will i run into issues around the sink with a oil based finish

 

[baldkev]

After a lot of research, i refinished a wooden worktop, with built in drainage grooves, in tongue oil. I cant say how it's surviving because I havent been back to the house since, but that was 5 or 6 years ago.... no complaints. The original oil finish had long gone and the drainer area was black and furry, so i used oxalic and cleaned it back, sanded smooth once dry, then 5 coats of oil.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You can make finishes such as the plastic as glossy or as flat as you want them to be, although you buy that in matt and satin to start with.

 

[jim1950]

take a look at Timber Tec from CCC in the UK, Ive used this a lot on wooden sinks, outdoor tops, tables and all types of wood from pine to Teak
will even take boiler water poured on it after a week

 

[danst96]

Can I use any stain and then go ahead with a plastic coat over the top or should I tint the finish?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You can use (Rustin's) Plastic Coating over stain, but the first coat sometimes lifts the stain a little - it doesn't matter, but it can affect the drying time. Other finishes are probably much the same. I can't say for water based stain, but it might not lift so quickly as spirit based. There's probably info on YouTube, it's a long established product.