Thanks for all the help on my thrift store dresser. Now, I’ve got this oak toilet seat. I like the look & feel of the real old ones & wanted to try to capture that. I’ve got it stained. Would many coats of shellac be the way to go? Maybe a wipe on resin varnish? I’m thinking poly is out on this one. I don’t want it to be plastic-y but need it to stand up to the cleaning those things get now & then. And, being oak, what is a good waiting period after staining?
Thanks all, Jerry
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Replies
Don't bother finishing it, users will stain the toilet seat themselves.
EDIT: Sorry, cynical reaction due to a house full of teenage boys. Do what seems best to you. :)
Ha. ha ....ha... but that type of stain won't pop the grain up
Masrol
NOT shellac as the finish coat. Think sticky--and won't stand up to cleaning materials. This IS the perfect place for poly. It can be satin.
My favorite - Arm-R-Seal wiping varnish. Not plastic-y; really tough.
Pete
I will stongly second Gretchen--do not use shellac. Shellac will not stand up to cleaning chemicals. It is particularly susceptable to damage from ammonia based products and, of course, it would not stand up to urine. Waterborne products should be avoided for the same reason.
Like Gretchen, I would recommend a poly varnish. It is one of the few places where the protective qualities of poly varnish is called for. How "plastic" it looks is dependent on the number of coats. Brush on two-three coats or wipe on 5-6 and you should be fine. Be sure to apply the same number of coats on both sides of the seat and top. Being over a pool of water, it will be subject to constant moisture and can warp or crack.
Let the stain fully dry for 5-7 days. After applying the varnish, let it cure for 3-4 weeks to develop its full protective qualities.
Sounds good Howie. Thanks
Lousy place for shellac. Perfect place to use any run-of-the-mill can(s) of varnish you have lying around.
Just make sure the varnish has dried before you sit on it.
Yup. That's a sticky situation. It has actually happened a couple of times. Howie.........
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