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Question for you woodworkers

cbxjeff
I plan of buying a 24 x 60 bench top. My problem is that it has a oil finish and I want to stain and lacquer it. How do I remove the oil finish?

Thanks guys,
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • hillbille
    is it oiled on the bottom????? you may just have to turn it over
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  • asphalt cowboy
    Being a bench top I'd just sand it. Go over it with 120 grit on a DA sander and then block it with 220 and 400 grit. If any finish is still left you should see it. You definitely want All of the oil finish gone before applying lacquer as it will not cure if there is oil present.
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  • NeoBlackdog
    Don't use lacquer, use an oil based hardwood floor finish. Give it a good going over with an orbital sander first and then sand between coats with 220.
    Smooth as a baby's butt and very tough.
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  • dav1965
    Im thinking only one side is finished. I have seen a bunch of work tables and i have never seen one finished on the other side.
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  • WearyTraveler
    If it's an oil like tung / danish you're not going to be able to remove it. The oil penetrates.

    If shellac or lacquer you may be able to remove it with spirits.

    If you're just planning to use it as a workbench or reloading bench, a couple of coats of tinted polyurethane (lightly sanded between coats) is probably the most durable finish. And - you can apply that poly over the tung/danish oil in the oil is dry.
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  • cbxjeff
    I should have offered a little more info originally. I am building a desk. I'm using a leg & apron from Osborne Wood. The top will be from McMaster Carr - 24 x 60 x 1.75 laminated maple or Oak. I can call McMaster Carr to ask if both sides are oiled but I doubt if that can tell me. The maple has an oil finish and I plan on using minwax stain followed by Deft brand lacquer. I've been using Deft for years and really like it. Yes, the original oil finish will have absorbed somewhat into the top's wood (as opposed to Paint). Maybe the fact that minwax is an oil based stain may help. I could go with the oak top. It has a lacquer finish and I know I can remove it. The downside of that is that I'll need to rip it as it doesn't come 24" wide and I can't handle that large and heavy a piece by myself.

    Thanks again guys for the opinions,
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