Caring for a wooden bar

[Kent Wang]

I have just purchased second-hand a wooden bar from Ikea. As it is a bar, I imagine it will be exposed to liquids very often. Aside from cleaning spills immediately -- which I cannot always be bothered to do while in the midst of fulfilling bar-related duties, i.e. drinking -- what is the best way to care for the wood?

Should I apply a clearcoat? It feels like it may already have some type of varnish, but I am not certain. How can I tell?

I have read about various wood oils. Should I use those instead?

 

[Bergdorf Goodwill]

Be sure it doesn't get too slick so that the emotionally destroyed muffintops dancing atop your bar do not risk injury. Save a horse, ride a cowboy.

 

[Kent Wang]

Originally Posted by Bergdorf Goodwill

Save a horse, ride a cowboy.
I live in Texas and still do not fully understand this expression. I am not at all unfamiliar with it, but its meaning eludes me.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Bergdorf Goodwill

Be sure it doesn't get too slick so that the emotionally destroyed muffintops dancing atop your bar do not risk injury.

Sawdust on the bar allows for slick moves without losing traction. Now, if said muffintop happens to be wearing stilettos when dancing, nothing will help, her shoes will mar your bar's finish, and she deserves to fall crashing to the floor.

It's highly likely that the top already has a finish on it. Very few commercial manufacturers put unfinished wood out there. If there's any gloss, or there's any noticeable tint to the wood, you've probably got a finish. You can drop some water on the top (inconspicuous spot) and wait five seconds. Unfinished wood absorbs the water. If the water beads and stands, you've got a finish. I can't tell you how durable the existing finish is, the odds are you've got a sprayed-on lacquer finish, which can vary greatly.

If you want to add to or improve your durability, I would lightly scuff-sand the top and apply a good varnish - 3 to 5 coats. You'll need roughly a day to dry between coats (you're in Austin, so it's not bone-dry there). If you're particular, Behlen makes a rock-hard tabletop varnish (sold by Woodcraft, among other stores) that will stand up to nearly anything.