Best finish that won't discolour a desk top

[Slow Robot]

Hi,

I have just purchased a pre-made bench top from Bunnings. I think it is made out of rubber wood!?
It is a very pale timber.

My question is what would be the best finish to apply?
It is to be used as a desk top (for kids homework).
Most important is that it doesn't change the colour of the timber, in particular I don't want it to turn yellow.
A more satin finish would be preferable.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Cheers,
Darren.

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Darren.

[Master Splinter]

All finishes will add a bit of yellow/darken the timber, to some extent.

The least yellowing I have found is clear car acrylic, but you really need a spray gun for this. You could try http://www.ubeaut.com.au/dewaxed.html

[Slow Robot]

Thanks old 1955, I have looked around plenty of times in the past and have finally got around to joining....

Thank you for the tip Master Splinter! I do have access to a spray gun. The acrylic might be worth a try.... I didn't know it would adhere properly to wood.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Welcome to the forum (2)

Last year I made a set of Hoop Pine bookshelves for my father. He also wanted the finish to stay clear. I found a water-clean-up Estapol product that guarantees to stay clear. It comes in a satin finish, and that is what I used. I found it very easy to apply and, six months later, it is still clear.

However, I suspect the spray on acrylic would be a harder wearing finish if you can you get it in satin?

Regards

David

[Cliff Rogers]

+1 for the water based Estapol finish, if you have a look, you can find one that is UV resistant as well.

[ubeaut]

G'day Darren -Wet the timber with a bit of metho or water and that will show the minimum colour change you will get with any finish. As has been said already, most finishes will yellow the timber to some degree. U-Beaut's Hard Shellac and White Shellac won't darken the timber any more than wetting it with water. White shellac is one of the few finishes that has the ability not to darken and put the yellowing into timber. (Don't be put off by the colour of the shellac in the photo's they are really bad representations.)

You also need to bare in mind that most timbers will go darker with age due to oxidisation, bright light and general use.

Your other option which will be a little easier for a first timer is to use Sanding Sealer as a base followed by Traditional Wax

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil
U-Beaut Polishes

[BamBam53]

Cabothane Clear Water Based is worth considering. It's a clear polyurethane and does not yellow like the solvent based polyurethanes.