bathroom countertop and vanity

Cheryl stanley
by Cheryl stanley
i am completly redoing our bathroom and i would like to use pallet wood to build the vanity. my question is how to seal the wood from water damage. don't want to put all that work into it only to have i ruined!
  7 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Mar 04, 2013
    I use 4 to 5 coats of wiping poly on most of my furniture projects. This is enough to deal with routine damp rag type cleaning. If you are using the wood for the top horizontal surface a few extra coat could help. The thing with all wood surfaces it to not let water pool are stand for long periods...most hold up fine is cleaned up quickly.
  • Danylle M Danylle M on Mar 04, 2013
    I use Minwax Paste Finish Wax in a low gloss to seal my wood and paint projects. It is creates a smooth finish that is not glossy and very easy to apply.
  • Cheryl stanley Cheryl stanley on Mar 04, 2013
    thanks for your suggestion! i'm not familar with "wiping poly". what is it? do you apply it with a brush? is it clear and non-yellowing?
  • Cheryl stanley Cheryl stanley on Mar 05, 2013
    thank you danylle! i have never used the paste wax. will it protect the wood from water? there will be a sink there and messy grandkids.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Mar 05, 2013
    @Cheryl stanley the wiping poly is super simple to use...no brushing. I use a about a 6" square piece of an old t-shirt as my applicator. Because you are adding very thin layers you typically need more "coats" than if you brush it on. But the beauty of the wiping is is goes really fast and does not leave marks or streaks. I normally finish sand to 220 then apply 4 to 5 coats. before the last coat is applied I do a final smoothing with some 320 grit paper. I mostly use the "satin" finish (gold can).
  • Cheryl stanley Cheryl stanley on Mar 05, 2013
    ok! thanks! i seems like it is something i will look into. i do like easy!
  • Gail Daniels Gail Daniels on Jul 22, 2015
    I recently learned that pallets are treated with pesticides and other chemicals to protect the pallets in the warehouses from insects, rats and mice and other critters. Not sure if sealing with paint or min wax is enough to protect you from these poisons.