Which hard varnish?

[ennogs]

I have bought 2 pieces of Natural Halifax Oak to use for making myself a new computer table.

One piece is 940mm x 1900mm and will be the computer table top. The second piece is 304mm x 780mm and will be used as keyboard shelf.

I want to coat them in a clear hard varnish to protect them. I don’t know what I need. Do I need Mattcoat, Satincoat, or Hardglaze?

 

[Cabinetman]

If I have it right, this is melamine on top of chipboard, do you already have the edges and ends edge banded?

 

[ennogs]

If I have it right, this is melamine on top of chipboard, do you already have the edges and ends edge banded?

Yes, the edges and ends edge are banded.

 

[Blackswanwood]

It depends what you want the finish to look like - shiny, Matt or somewhere in between?

 

[ennogs]

It depends what you want the finish to look like - shiny, Matt or somewhere in between?

I think I would prefer shiny but my main criteria is to protect the wood. Looking online I see there are lots of different types of clear hard varnish. I want to make sure the clear hard varnish I use is one that is suitable for the Natural Halifax Oak wood I bought.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Water based polyurethane. Hard wearing, easy to use and virtually odour free. Unlike oils, it doesn't tend to yellow.

 

[ennogs]

Water based polyurethane. Hard wearing, easy to use and virtually odour free. Unlike oils, it doesn't tend to yellow.

Thank you.

 

[Blackswanwood]

I think I would prefer shiny but my main criteria is to protect the wood. Looking online I see there are lots of different types of clear hard varnish. I want to make sure the clear hard varnish I use is one that is suitable for the Natural Halifax Oak wood I bought.

Polyvine is worth considering …

https://www.agwoodcare.co.uk/interi...d-varnishes/polyvine-heavy-duty-wood-varnish/

 

[Cabinetman]

Well yes I would have recommended those too but didn’t on purpose , are we sure it won’t just peel off the Melamine? I don’t think that it is designed to have a finish applied.
Wax maybe?
Ian

 

[Phil Pascoe]

That's a good point.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Well yes I would have recommended those too but didn’t on purpose , are we sure it won’t just peel off the Melamine? I don’t think that it is designed to have a finish applied.
Wax maybe?
Ian

Yes - I agree now you point that out.

Melamine isn’t supposed to have any protective finish on it as far as I know.

 

[Blackswanwood]

@ennogs - apologies for not reading the full detail before responding.

As I say above I don’t think melamine needs a protective layer. Thinking about it though if you are wanting to give it some extra protection I would suggest looking at Rustins plastic coating. It’s used for pub bar tops.

An e-Mail or phone call to AG Woodcare, Woodfinishes Direct or Restorate may come up with some other suggestions.

 

[ennogs]

Thanks. I am a bit confused now. Are you now saying don't put clear hard wax on the oak?

 

[ennogs]

I have looked a bit more for myself. I should have done better research before buying the wood. As it was listed as Natural Halifax Oak I thought I bought real oak but as you all know I bought melamine.

The company I bought the wood from says on its website "Melamine boards cannot be varnished because they are made from a paper or fabric layer soaked in melamine resin, which is then thermally fused to a particleboard or MDF core. The melamine surface is essentially plastic, which does not absorb varnish".

So you were right, varnishing is not an option for me.

 

[ennogs]

@ennogs - apologies for not reading the full detail before responding.

As I say above I don’t think melamine needs a protective layer. Thinking about it though if you are wanting to give it some extra protection I would suggest looking at Rustins plastic coating. It’s used for pub bar tops.

An e-Mail or phone call to AG Woodcare, Woodfinishes Direct or Restorate may come up with some other suggestions.

Would this protect the melamine against drink spillages and knocks?

 

[Blackswanwood]

If I’m understanding you correctly from the comments above you are trying to find something to protect melamine coated chipboard. Melamine isn’t oak it’s a resin based substance (edit - as you say above as posts crossed!)

You could put hard wax on it but I don’t personally think there is really much point - I don’t think it will adhere effectively.

I think the Rustins product would adhere and it’s tough/hard wearing. I’d suggest a quick e-Mail to one of the previously mentioned suppliers to confirm. They’re all very helpful!

 

[ennogs]

If I’m understanding you correctly from the comments above you are trying to find something to protect melamine coated chipboard. Melamine isn’t oak it’s a resin based substance.

You could put hard wax on it but I don’t personally think there is really much point - I don’t think it will adhere effectively.

Yes, you understand me correctly. I was looking to protect the wood. Due to it being described on the website as Natural Halifax Oak I wrongly assumed I was buying real oak.

Would you also rule out using Rustins plastic coating?

 

[--Tom--]

Melamine is effectively a hard varnish already. Trying to coat it with something will likely give you a worse finish, and you won’t have the option of sanding it off and starting again.

I’d just crack on and use it

 

[Blackswanwood]

Yes, you understand me correctly. I was looking to protect the wood. Due to it being described on the website as Natural Halifax Oak I wrongly assumed I was buying real oak.

Would you also rule out using Rustins plastic coating?

I wouldn’t do it personally as I don’t think you need coat it with anything else. It’s designed to be a work surface as it is. It’s the only thing I can think of that I think may work if you are dead set on putting something on it. As I’ve already mentioned an e-Mail to one of the suppliers will uncover if they’ve had the question before.

 

[kinverkid]

Our computer desktop is smooth, silk finish black melamine. It's about four years old and is used daily - I'm replying from it now. We use a mouse on it without a mat and see no wear marks. The only wax finish it gets is with a common spray furniture polish when dusting. So, I would suggest you leave it as it is. If it has a textured feel to it you may want to get a mouse mat as the high bumps in the texture may show wear over years and your mouse will respond better.