piper Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Building a new bench with a maple top. Can I just leave this top unfinished? It is a workbench, and I have no need to have it shiny etc... Thanks for your responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Sure you can, but why would you? A can of finish is a cheap investment to protect and seal it from moisture and spills. It doesn't have to be shiny. Plenty of products come in a satin finish and leave it looking natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 I sanded mine to 80 grit & put on a couple of coats of oil finish. It's rough enough that it's not slippery & the finish helps to release any glue that might drip on it. And welcome to the forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 I did the same as drzaius lays out above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted December 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 2 hours ago, drzaius said: forums 2 hours ago, drzaius said: I sanded mine to 80 grit & put on a couple of coats of oil finish. It's rough enough that it's not slippery & the finish helps to release any glue that might drip on it. And welcome to the forums. Thanks. Tung oil ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 I used a couple of coats of Danish oil on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 I used Tried and True on mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 I used a couple of light coats of boiled linseed oil (wipe on wipe off). I have had occasion to touch up the top with a hand plane (for flatness in one area) - no problem. The oil also makes glue removal easier when I forget that I should not glue on my workbench. After 2+ years i figure it's about time for a light sanding and another light coat. BTW, I did oil the underside and edges as part of the original build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted December 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Thanks to all for the comments/suggestions. I have been looking at BLO and this seems to be the better path - and Ronn W's experience helps confirm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 When people say "oil finish" I assume they mean some for of BLO, or more likely, a mix of BLO and a little varnish. "Danish Oil FInish", "Tung Oil Finish", etc...any of those will work fine, and only cost you a couple bucks. It will turn the maple yellow, only way to avoid that is to use a water-based finish, AFAIK. But it's a bench, like you said, so no big deal. Oh, and welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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