london plane tree bench top

[worms]

Hi All,

I have recently picked up a londen plane tree slab form the thicknessing joint and it has come out with afew cracks some of which are quite large. I dont actually mind the look of this.

Just wondering if you could reccommend a product to firstly fill the cracks up clear and then a durable clear coat for the whol thing

Slab is 1400*600*50 and is destined for the bathroom vanity

Ideas would be great

[ubeaut]

G'day Worm - I'm presuming the timber is dry. Clear Casting Resin will fill the cracks but you need to mask off all the escape routes as the stuff will find it's way out of even a pin hole.

For a bathroom I'd be using a 2 part epoxy or marine varnish. London Plane in my experience doesn't like water very much and will go a very displeasing grey then almost black colour before rotting away.

Fully seal the benchtop all over to prevent any moisture from getting at the wood. Pay particular attention to sealing the end grain.

Cheers - Neil

PS If the timber isn't dry the casting resin won't take to it. Pour a weakmix of dewaxed white shellac into the cracks to seal the moisture in before scing the casting resin.

[worms]

Thanks Neil,
timber is dry, I've actually jumped the gun alittle and gone ahead filled the cracks with araldite ultra clearm. this is curing now. once this is all sanded back I was considering using a cabots indoor funiture sealer (some left over from another job) of about 5 coats and then using maybe a liquid glass product on top. Some other recommened products were estapol and cabots cfp....any good?

[switt775]

Just a thought (and not speaking as an expert)... Given that this timber doesn't really like water very much, should you be looking at a finish designed for exterior applications, rather than interier?