Correct finish to use in bathroom woodwork

[Eggles]

I have a old-fashioned pine washstand (reproduction) in my bathroom and over the years, as a result of water pooling behind the basin and the action of mould, a small section has rotted away. I would like to repair the damage and refinish the whole structure, as whatever it was sealed with has worn thin or completely gone in a number of areas.

So my question is threefold:

(1) with what should I remove the remaining surface coating - I don't know quite what it is, but some sort of clear lacquer I assume

(2) what should I use to fill the patch of rotted wood, which fortunately is not on a very obvious place

(3) what should I finish the wood with that will be waterproof, but clear so as to allow the wood to show?

[Iain]

I would dismantle the thing completely, strip of the lacquer with paint stripper and scrub with meths and steel wool as per the finishers handbook.
Remove the affected area and replace with a new piece of timber and finish off with a NC lacquer, or several coats of estapol of your choice with a fine sanding between coats.
Pay particular attention to the endgrain where moisture can find it's way in.
Afraid I don't like to fill a rotted section, like a damned cancer, you think you got it all.......................

[jmk89]

When SWMBO and I renovated our bathroom and used some timber which was not to be painted, we used Deks Olje as the finish - it is available from stores that stock Flood products and is really resistant to water. I suppose this answes question 3. I will leave 1 and 2 to those better qualified.

Cheers

Jeremy

[Ecc]

A marine varnish or spar varnish is also very good for finishing - its what they use in boats after all. And I agree that you can't fill it - you will need to cut it out.

[Eggles]

Thanks for the various suggestions.