I am finishing a table top composed of glued up maple (90%) and mahogany strips (10%0 that will be used in a kitchen environment. I am planning to use an oil finish product like Watco. Wonder whether I should use a shellac sealer prior to the first coat of oil finish? I fear that the shellac will prevent the oil from penetrating.
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Replies
You are correct. Any sealer will seal the wood and prevent penetrating finishes from penetrating. Some finishing materials are not compatible with other finishing materials. It doesn't make sense to use shellac before Watco.
Oi/Varnish Finish
Let me suggest that you will end up with a better looking and more durable, protective coating if you make your own oil/varnish mixture. The Watco contains very little in the way of solids. It's mostly thinners.
To mix your own, mix equal parts of your favoring varnish or poly varnish, boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. Apply and keep wet for 15-20 minutes and then thoroughly wipe dry. Let it dry overnight and do the same thing the next day. Then let is fully cure for a week or more.
Even this mixture will not be as durable as a film finish like varnish. A kitchen table is generally subjected to a bit of abuse. I recommend that that you be sure to use placemats, coasters and trivits and avoid putting hot or cold plates on the surface. The saving grace is that an oil/varnish finish is relatively easy to repair/renew.
Kitchen
A sealer and hard finish would be better than oil in the kitchen.
SA
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