Finish for wood coasters?

[sploo]

I have some offcuts from another project (purpleheart and sycamore) and I've been using them to make some end grain coasters in the shape of stars (with Xmas in mind).

I've finished the main piece (an Xmas ornament) with a coat of Danish Oil (for "pop"), and then shellac and wax, but I know that shellac and alcohol is a bad combination. I was therefore thinking I probably need something a bit more resistant for coasters.

Other than a water based floor varnish (Screwfix brand), about the only other thing I can think of is to get a can of Halfrauds clear gloss lacquer (now acrylic based). I do have some old 2K clear coat (likely out of date) but no access to the right safety gear at the moment, so that's out.

Any other suggestions for a finish that would withstand occasional alcohol spillages?

 

[AndyT]

I agree that the floor varnish (presumably polyurethane) would be ideal.

I used a similar product on on some trays which get exposed to similar hazards and they are still as good as new.

There are probably plenty of more expensive options from Osmo or Chestnut which would also be good.

 

[ED65]

Since they're end grain, thought about leaving them to soak in a finish for a while? The Danish oil is a good candidate for this, plus you'll automatically get them to look similar to the ornament which an acrylic lacquer is very unlikely to do.

If you have a large enough ziplock-type bag to take a few coasters at once you can put in a handful, pour in a minimal amount of the Danish oil so that they all get wet and then seal the bag up tight after evacuating as much of the air as possible. Leave to soak overnight or longer, then take them out and wipe off all the excess as normal before putting aside to cure on a wire tray or anything else that will allow air to get to the underside.

A dip like this can be the equivalent of five or more coats wiped on individually.

 

[sploo]

Thanks for the responses. I don't really need them to match the ornament, and kinda liked the idea of a gloss lacquer finish.

That said, I tried putting a little strong alcohol on an offcut that has some (well cured) floor varnish (Screwfix water based), and it didn't seem to affect it (actually it'd evaporated before I wiped it off). Maybe that'll be fine as a finish.

 

[ED65]

Yes the polyurethane component would make the finish much more resistant to alcohol than without.

 

[sploo]

I happened to need to go to Halfrauds recently, so grabbed a can of their clear gloss lacquer (now acrylic instead of cellulose). Apparently acrylic is pretty resistant, so I thought it'd be OK for the coasters. I'd left them over a week for the Danish oil to dry, and tested on a scrap first (no reaction - all OK).

They look pretty good. Time will tell on how well they'll stand up to abuse. After the first clear coat I left them to harden for a couple of weeks, did a final sand (very fine grit), then applied a couple more coats today. It means they'll then have a couple of weeks to cure before being used in anger.

 

[Austinisgreat]

Sploo,

Post some pics when finished please, be really interested to see what Halfords acrylic spray turns out like. Have used Mylands and Chestnut but never thought of automotive.

Cheers

Andrew

 

[sploo]

Sploo,

Post some pics when finished please, be really interested to see what Halfords acrylic spray turns out like. Have used Mylands and Chestnut but never thought of automotive.

Cheers

Andrew

I've just been preparing some images this evening. Run out of time to post, but hopefully will do in the next couple of days.

 

[gregmcateer]

Osmo Polyx Oil, (usually for floors, doors, etc), is resistant to alcohol and quite a lot of other 'abuse' too, I think.

 

[Nelsun]

I used Osmo on some oak end grain coasters as it's worked a treat on our worktops. It sheds most stuff without taking a breath and comes in a range of tints and sheens from Matt through to gloss. If you want to go the whole hog you can apply some of their wood protector gubbins which they recommend for naked wood. I did as I've plenty in the cupboard... but that's likely overkill!

 

[sploo]

Sploo,

Post some pics when finished please, be really interested to see what Halfords acrylic spray turns out like. Have used Mylands and Chestnut but never thought of automotive.

Cheers

Andrew

Results here: xmas-coasters-t102232.html