200 x 200 6m internal post

[queenslandob76]

All,
Need advice, I am putting a 200 x 200 iron bark post in the center of our house and unsure of what type of finish I am to use. Should I just oil it up or give it a clear coat? As you can see I have no idea of what to do so any advice would be of great help. Pictures would also help.

[Master Splinter]

Oil is probably the easiest finish and one that is most forgiving.

Personally I would use Organoil, but thats because the stuff I have smells nice (eucalypt not thinners smell) so when used inside it doesn't make you flee the room to get away from the smell. It also doesn't make the timber look like plastic like a high build finish does.

You could use a varnish on it, but these are a bit more difficult to touch up later on.

[queenslandob76]

I've got pasterboard butting up to the post, is the oil going to leech into the plasterboard?

[Master Splinter]

It might do, but it wouldn't be much unless you really sloshed the oil on around it.

There are plastic trim thingies you can put on the edges of plasterboard, but any sort of plastic "L" would do.

Its a good idea to leave a little bit of room between the two materials, as they have different expansion rates.