Best protection against water?

[matt]

I'm making some tops for built in cabinets from Walnut. One cabinet will have a fish tank on it and this is where I'd be grateful for some advice.

I usually use Ronseal Quick Drying Satin varnish (water based, I think). This has a nice finish, doesn't yellow, and does not end up looking treacly.

However... I've noticed it's not as resilient to water as I would like. I've used it on some bathroom cabinets and it's quite apparent where water has been splashed on it quite regularly.

So... what's a good satin finish, non yellowing, non treacly finish I can use? There will undoubtedly be occasions when some spillage will lead to moisture getting trapped under the tank for a period.

Any thoughts?

 

[PowerTool]

Rustins plastic coating is good;think you would just have to cut it back with some wire wool or similar,to get a satin look to it.I used it on some pub table-tops,and they are standing up to everything from beer being spilt,to people dancing on them!

Andrew

 

[Digit]

IMO Matt any finish that lays on the surface is a waste of time!
For these sort of things I use Linseed oil, you can see the water simply run off.

Roy.

 

[matt]

Plastic coating was in the back of my mind, having heard it mentioned once or twice before but I've never seen (or realised I've seen) anything finished with it. N'theless, I'll chalk it up as something that sounds as though it will do the job.

With regard to using oil... I like the finish but I'm concerned that it will need to be reapplied periodically. I cannot move the tank once it's set up.

 

[matt]

Anyone used this: http://www.axminster.co.uk/sessionID/RT ... 715653.htm

Any good?

 

[Shane]

Apologies for hijacking this thread, but I have a querie along similar lines.

My next job is a bath panel, shelf unit (to box in cistern) and a 'floating' shelf, all in american black walnut. I'm concerned about the woods stability with the humidity and water marks. Would applying lots of linseed oil be the best bet? any idea if I could apply the polyvine wax from the above link over the top of the linseed oil? or use the linseed on the unseen and just polyvine on the faces? any comments will be much appreciated.

 

[marcus]

2 pack marine varnish

Or perhaps that overkill, but it would certainly keep the water out!

 

[Vikash]

Yacht Varnish?

 

[Shane]

Yacht varnish will be too glossy, prefer an oil that sinks into the wood rather than just a top coat of varnish

 

[miles_hot]

I have used Treatex wax oil on the kitchen surfaces and water is still beading fantastically after 1.5 years. It has to be said that I would expect any finish to breakdown over time - even marine varnish needs to be refreshed after a few years (I understand). Given that you can't move the tank is it worth treating the surface and then sealing the tank in place (clear silican) so that you can refresh what ever finish you are going to use (and potentially the silicon) over the years?

Miles

 

[Derek Willis.]

Rustin's Plastic Coatng without a doubt, it is an invulnerable finish and is more satin than gloss finish, I have experience of this and water.
Derek.

 

[matt]

Anyone used this: http://www.axminster.co.uk/sessionID/RT ... 715653.htm

Any good?

Thanks for all the replies. I gave the above a shot in the end and have to say I am very pleased with the finish. No idea yet whether it is a resilient to water as described but I will probably start using it for other stuff.