Finish for coasters (Aussie Oil?)

I've been asked to make a few sets of coasters from Red Iron Bark and I'm tossing up which finish to use.

I've been absolutely loving Ubeaut's Aussie Oil on my pens...such a super sexy and easy finish...but how would it survive on coasters? For both hot and cold drinks, spillage and moisture?

Otherwise was going to go with either Danish oil or Ubeaut Hard Shellac (still w/wax) Any comments on either? Not sure about using shellac for hot drinks...

No matter what oil, I'd probably do a final coat of Trad Wax but that's going to wear away eventually.

I do have the option for a nitrocellulose or polyurethane spray finish but have serious doubts that they would survive and would probably get ring marks esp. from hot drinks.



Neil...would love some input/experience from you especially :kissing:

I'd use Rustins Plastic Finish, or an Epoxy Coasting, rather than an oil

How do either fare with heat from coffee mugs etc?
I've had to restore too many things with mug rings :)

I'm in the midst of testing UBeaut's Hard Shellec on an old reject box (jarrah/yellowbox/claret ash) that has had at least 3 coats put on it.
Half a dozen coffee and tea cups (with varying bases) with boiling water poured in them and left to sit on the box (with one re-positioning early on) until cool.
After the first round the Hard Shellac has passed with flying colours and no marks. Even with a spill.
Gonna do a couple more over the course of the night and see how it goes...but it's looking good :)

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Originally Posted by RedShirtGuy

How do either fare with heat from coffee mugs etc?
I've had to restore too many things with mug rings :)

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Never checked the Rustins but it is supposed to be Ok. As for the epoxy, my table with an Envirotech finish is near 30 years old, no issues at all and even the scratches from cutlery by the kids when they were young could be polished out.

I have used the Hard Shellac on many coasters. The ones in our house survive well because we look after them and wipe them dry, but the ones I gave away to my children did not fare well at all. They left cold drinks sitting on them and the condensation formed wet rigs, which they did not wipe off. That meant the finish deteriorated badly with rings and water damaged finish. From then on I switched to Rustins Danish oil for their coasters and those survive their mistreatment really well.

With Rustins Danish oil you can determine the gloss level by the number of coats that you apply. My aesthetics are for lower sheen finishes, but each to their own.

I find that the Hard shellac works really well for lots of other items that are unlikely to have water spilled or left on them. I have used it for boxes and even for a mid-century inspired recycled Northern Silky Oak sideboard that I made for my daughter.

The Hard Shellac performed better than expected. No melting and no marks even with splashes left over night. Perhaps the coats were too thin ;)

Making a trip to Carroll's tomorrow and have to make up my mind before then as both the Hard Shellac and Rustin's plastic finish and Danish oil are available there (as well as some other goodies :) ). I think I (and customer) would prefer an oil finish.