Water resistant finish.

[Andy Johnson]

I have turned a 16" under-counter sink from a 200 year old oak barn timber. Now the problem is, what can I use for a suitable water resistant finish?

[jmk89]

I have turned a 16" under-counter sink from a 200 year old oak barn timber. Now the problem is, what can I use for a suitable water resistant finish?

Welcome Andy

Assuming that wood is dry (which should be the case with 200 year old stock!!), I would look at using the kind of epoxy that the boatbuilders use for encapsulating the wood thary build in. It is "high solid" which means that water does not penetrate once a proper coating has been created (usually 3 coats).

Two brands available in Australia are BoteCOte ( a local brand) and WEST (which is made in the US).

The only problem with epoxy is that it is susceptible to UV breakdown. So after sealing the piece with epoxy, I would use a high grade marine varnish on top to reduce the UV penetration.

A good set of tips on using epoxy in this way is on Michael Storer's boatbuiding website - you will have to adapt the boat logic for your application, but that should be pretty easy.

[Woodwould]

If the sink is going to be actively used, it'll require more than a water resistant finish.

The boat-builder's epoxy does sound like a good candidate for the job. There used to be a product (I haven't used it, nor heard about it for years) that you immersed wood in and it would effectively soak into the pores, becoming one with the wood (no, I'm not thinking of PEG!).

It may still be around, but I'm afraid I can't remember the product's name. Perhaps Mr. Google would have something to say about it.

[Andy Johnson]

Thanks, Jeremy, for both the product information and the boat builder Web Site... I'll follow up on both and hopefully resolve my issue...

Thanks again, Andy

[BobL]

The one thing that sinks experience on a more regular basis than boats is detergent and hot water. I'd be looking at as many coats of epoxy as you can stand. Also be prepared to have to pull it out of the bench and strip it down and refinish in the same way about every 12 months.

If you want the look of wood around a basin one way of doing this is to get a glass basin and turn the wood to fit the basin.

[Woodwould]

If you want the look of wood around a basin one way of doing this is to get a glass basin and turn the wood to fit the basin.

Or grain the outside of the glass, as in the technique 'amelieren' (akin to verre églomisé).

[Andy Johnson]

Bob, I like the idea of a glass sink as an insert to a turning... This solves all the problems (especially the re-do)... However, being a turner of large closed vessels, with high gloss finishes, 6 to 8 applications of the finish in not unusual... Thanks for your help...

Andy