Can we talk about the finish on the bar at The Oak Barrel in Portland?

I stopped in for a drink last night and couldn't stop staring at the bar top. It had this deep, almost black stain but the grain was still super clear, like it was glowing from inside. The bartender said it's original from the 1940s and gets a fresh coat of oil every six months. It made me wonder how they keep it from getting sticky with all the spills. Has anyone worked on a piece that old with a similar look?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenixb345d ago

Read a woodworking forum where a guy said the trick is using a drying oil like tung oil, not just any oil. It soaks in and hardens inside the wood, so spills bead up instead of soaking in. That six-month oiling schedule is probably a super thin maintenance coat to keep it looking rich.

wesley1815d ago

Claire saying old ways aren't the best ways, have you seen a modern plastic bar top? They look like a sad airport lounge. That deep oiled wood has soul, and a few water rings just add to the story. A perfect, sealed bar feels like you're afraid to actually use it. Who wants to drink in a museum?

claire_hart535d ago

Honestly that kind of finish sounds like a huge pain to keep up. That deep stain shows every single water ring and scratch. Oiling it that much just seems like a way to trap spills and gunk in the wood over time. A modern sealant would protect it better without all the constant work. Sometimes old ways aren't the best ways.