A Gym-Floor Finish in the Kitchen
Q:
About 15 years ago, I made an oak countertop that I coated with gym-floor finish. Now it’s time to refinish the wood. Should I use some form of polyurethane or two-part epoxy?
William Lamb, Heath, TX
A:
Gym-floor finish was a great choice then and remains a great choice today. It’s known as a long-oil alkyd finish, which means that it contains a high percentage of drying oils that impart toughness, flexibility, and water-resistance. The oil also allows the finish to penetrate deep into the wood, reducing the chance of peeling.
Epoxy or catalyzed urethane finishes might seem to be better choices because they generate a lot of high-tech buzz. But they are much less scratch-resistant. Polyurethane wood finishes fall between catalyzed and oil finishes in scratch-resistance. I’d stay with a good-quality oil-based floor finish.
You’ve already proved that it lasts a long time. I’ve used McCloskey…
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