Kitchen Bench Beech Staining

[DiyElwood]

Hi there! I am a newbie and looking for some advice on staining a kitchen bench. It will be going into a short term rental holiday home:

-how important is it to use food grade kitchen oil on the bench? I don't see it being used to roll dough or meat getting cut on it like a cutting board.

I bought this wood from Bunnings: 2200 x 600 x 26mm Beech Laminated Panel - Bunnings Australia (https://www.bunnings.com.au/2200-x-600-x-26mm-beech-laminated-panel_p8330041)
and am looking for a finish that is a bit more like an oaky gray like this Kaboodle 2400 x 600 x 38mm Smoked Oak Benchtop - Bunnings Australia (https://www.bunnings.com.au/kaboodle-2400-x-600-x-38mm-smoked-oak-benchtop_p0194528)

Can i use a limewash and then a food grade oil on top? If so is this enough to seal it?

Thank you in advance!

[China]

If I was putting a bench top in a rental home of any type I would use some thing a lot tougher than a oil finish, e.g Rustins plastic coating, or a floor finish.

[DiyElwood]

Ok! thats really good advice. thank you. do i have to seal before using the rustins or floor finish?

[China]

You do not have to seal before using Rustins usually one thin coat then 1 or more top coats as for floor finish it will depend on the brand have read of the tin before you purchase

[DiyElwood]

You do not have to seal before using Rustins usually one thin coat then 1 or more top coats as for floor finish it will depend on the brand have read of the tin before you purchase

Can i use a limewash first to get the colour i want and then the Rustins?

[havabeer69]

i too would be very wary about using wood in a short term rental. someone puts a hot pot down on it and it can go south pretty quick.

cabbots (bunnings) make a bench top grade clear poly.

[China]

I can't see why you could not use the lime wash, unlikely Rustins would be damaged by hot pot, the good thing with Rustins if it is damaged you just sand it back and recoat the damage section.

[DiyElwood]

thanks China i really appreciate it. I have put an order in for Rustins - do you recommend doing a light sanding before applying? I tried to do a limewash on a sample of beech and it didnt take very well. I might just apply the Rustins without the limewash.

[China]

Yes I would sand first, as with any finish if you start with a bad finish you will end up with a bad finish.