Woodworking

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A handmade home for woodworkers and admirers of woodworkers. Our community icon is submitted by @inquanto@lemmy.world, winner of the Christmas 2025 gift contest with a lovely series of hardwood cutting boards.

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Finish ideas/recommendations (lemmy.ca)

submitted 10 months ago by vowedaloha@lemmy.ca to c/woodworking@lemmy.ca

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I'm planning on getting a hardwood plywood board to attach to an antique(ish) teachers desk so I will have a larger desk. The teachers desk is only ~2.5x4.5' and I'm looking at creating a 3x6' desktop.

My question is, with what should I finish the hardwood plywood? I want to keep/see the wood grain, and would like a finish that will be reasonably durable from day to day wear.

Thanks.

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[–] pageflight@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I just put 3 coats of polyurethane on my workbench plywood and it's doing fine after a year or so. I'll probably switch to water based poly when my can of oil based runs out since I hear it's just as durable indoors and easier to clean up after.

poly on bench

[–] the_mighty_kracken@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

This is the way. Waxes, oils, and even shellac are not durable finishes that will hold up under the kind of wear a desk top will be subjected to.