Treat the wood of the Dura counter-tops

[MetaFight]

The hackspace has acquired some nice furniture recently. Some of these items have some nice wood counter-tops which would benefit from a bit of protection.

I'm no pro in this area, but I suspect treating the wood is the way to go.

This task would involve 3 phases:

1. Investigate the best way to protect these countertops (balancing cost, protection, and whatever else makes sense)
2. Run the plan by the hackspace admin
3. Carry out the plan

It's worth noting that it may make sense the create a separate task for item 3.

[Mellen]

I have sent a message to Dura, requesting information.

[Mellen]

Dura have replied that the tops are treated with linseed oil. So we don't need to retreat them, but we can if we want.

[MetaFight]

Cool, thanks.

I think we may have some of the sample or display models which may have not been treated. Lauren (@Yanaba) , can you confirm?

If that is the case, I guess treating them with linseed oil is the way to go.

[Yanaba]

Yes, we were told ours are not treated (except for one maybe iirc?) because ours were never prepped for selling.

So ordering linseed oil sounds like the way to go.

Next step is finding out the surface area we need to treat (add all worktop surface areas together).

Then I guess find out how one applies it, if there's anything special to do other than rub it on with gloves. Maybe there is a sponge tool or something so we don't get darker areas etc, I don't know.

Finally, shoot me a link for a price-shopped bottle of linseed oil that is made for this purpose and big enough to cover this surface area. Also for sponge etc if that applies.

I'll buy it.

Cheers guys.

On 6 May 2016, at 15:10, MetaFight notifications@github.com wrote:

Cool, thanks.

I think we may have some of the sample or display models which may have not been treated. Lauren, can you confirm?

If that is the case, I guess treating them with linseed oil is the way to go.

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[Mellen]

From http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/treatwtops.htm

Hardwood worktops must be thoroughly treated with at least three coats of protective wood oil, to all sides (including the underside), prior to installation. It is also beneficial to apply as many coats as possible to the end-grain of the worktops as this is the area which will absorb the most moisture. An extra three to four coats should also be applied around tapholes, sink cutouts and areas of heavy use or exposure.

Oils are best applied by using a lint-free cloth rather than a brush. A lint-free cloth is any form of material that will not deposit any particles on the wood - an old T-shirt is usually ideal.

When applying the oil yourself, it is best to apply several thin coats rather than one thick application. Always work the oil into the worktop in the direction of the wood grain for best results.
After applying the first coat, you will probably notice that some areas are wet and others dry. This is because the wood will absorb the oil at different degrees in different areas. Wait for 15minutes and then run the cloth over the entire surface again to ensure an even spread. Do not allow large pools of oil to dry on the surface.

Apply the second and third coats in the same manner, allowing ½ hour - 1hour for drying time in between coats. If the surface feels slightly rough in certain areas, or if you wish to develop a smoother surface, then we recommend that you apply a further coat of oil using either a green nylon scouring sponge or wire wool.

[Mellen]

The central table is (mm) 1500 × 740 × 40
The other surfaces are (mm) 1000 × 566 × 40

[Yanaba]

Cool, how many surfaces? We'll need to multiply to get surface area,
especially if we need enough for like 3 coats of linseed oil like that link
says. There are how many surfaces aside from the table...6? 7?

On Fri, May 13, 2016 at 3:49 PM, Matt Ellen notifications@github.com
wrote:

The central table is (mm) 1500 × 740 × 40
The other surfaces are (mm) 1000 × 566 × 40

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#2 (comment)

[Mellen]

I have some expert advice that the amount of linseed oil per unit surface area will be explained on the bottle. So first we should choose a brand.

[Mellen]

The area of the 5 tops 3.374m², but that should be doubled for the bottoms, so 6.748m². Then we have to do the edges. That's an extra 0.68032m², so a total of 7.42832m². According to the instructions I linked to above:

Your new worktop should be treated with oil every week for the first six weeks, and at least once every three months thereafter.

So we'll need that much oil × six, plus extra for the tri-monthly treatments, which we might choose to buy later.

[Yanaba]

Sounds like a lot of work.

Ok, so that's for all the surfaces (cabinet tops + table) in the old
electronics room and also the one in metalworking (roller cabinet), yes? Is
the one in metalworking counted? I thought there were more than 5.

Thanks for all this btw.

On Fri, May 13, 2016 at 6:29 PM, Matt Ellen notifications@github.com
wrote:

The area of the 5 tops 3.374m², but that should be doubled for the
bottoms, so 6.748m². Then we have to do the edges. That's an extra
0.68032m², so a total of 7.42832m². According to the instructions I linked
to above:

Your new worktop should be treated with oil every week for the first six
weeks, and at least once every three months thereafter.

So we'll need that much oil × six, plus extra for the tri-monthly
treatments, which we might choose to buy later.

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#2 (comment)

[Mellen]

I was only aware of the counter tops in the electronics room.

[Mellen]

There isn't a beechwood top on the draws in the metalworking room.

[Mellen]

For Barretine boiled linseed oil (boiled is recommended for treating worktops) we would need a little over 6 litres for the full six week course (you can see the calculation for 3 coats here). 5L costs £26.99 at that online store.

According to the Wickes store, their 500ml covers 2m², so we'd need 12 bottles for 3 complete coats, 72 bottles for the 6 week course. That would cost £359.28.

Liberon 500ml covers between 8m² and 12m², so (using the lower end) we'd need a maximum of 18 bottles for the six week course, at £5.69 each, totalling £102.42

These are the three I found that have coverage details. I have asked for details of two others.