Home Bar Disaster Question

AndyJ341 · Post by **AndyJ341** » Sun Feb 21, 2021 4:12 pm

Hi All,

Looking for some feedback. Made a home bar and spent hours on the bar top (500 x 1200). Went to use some worktop oil I had in an unmarked tin but after applying it to half of the bar top (rest of bar, cladding, panelling etc is still soft wood) I realised it was spare Creocote not to be mixed up with old school creosote. After I realised I wiped down the bar top, have since cleaned with white spirit and sanded it back down. There is a slight smell remaining and I would be loathed to break apart the bar and have to replace the bar top. Such a stupid mistake and just shows to never rush a job!

My thoughts are to use Smiths Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer to completely seal the bar top then go over with wood stain and then seal again with yacht varnish.

The bar is in the basement of a house with good ventilation and double French doors, Not going to be used frequently but just worried as so many horror stories about old school creosote and long term exposure.

If I need to I will rip the bar up but really trying to avoid if I can make safe, Thoughts???

A

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Feb 21, 2021 5:12 pm

I should be dead then with all the creosote I have splashed on myself over the years. Yes, it can give off fumes that can be dangerous but you have to be breathing it in for a long period and you would know it. Anyhow you have got the top cleaned down and I doubt there is much risk, especially if you seal it as you intend.

I know blokes who used to paint agricultural buildings all day in the '60s and they had creosote all on faces arms etc, They made old bones.

DWD

Nos · Post by **Nos** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:20 am

The good old days creosote mixed with old engine oil

made for nice fencing. As DWD say it will go away eventually, but sealing it is a wise precaution.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 10:55 am

what sort off timber are you talking about ???
how smooth or how rustic do you want the finish :dunno:

off the wall thinking may be a disaster do nothing or work great

over do it with a paint stripping gun or a bit underdone with a blowtorch

as i say off the wall but flame should help remove at least the surface contamination and help reduce the level off smell
look up blowtorching timber

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 11:17 am

Not a great idea All you would release fumes putting heat on it, which could be dodgy.

DWD

AndyJ341 · Post by **AndyJ341** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 12:13 pm

Hi, thanks for feedback so far everyone.

Is just the bar top which is various bits of reclaimed wood stuck together and sanded down.

Guess just looking for some assurance that if properly sealed as outlined this is safe in the house and I am not going to kill someone who sits in bar. So annoyed as bar looks great!

Never rushing a job again especially when all the hard work is done!

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 1:28 pm

could you flip the top and use the underneath :dunno:

AndyJ341 · Post by **AndyJ341** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:58 pm

Can't flip unfortunately as bolts underneath and glued onto the frame of bar.

Smell is going, do you think another few cleans with white spirit and maybe some wood bleech then stain and yacht varnish would be enough to lock in the crecote so safe to use. CPES is going to be a nightmare as cant move wood outside. Thanks

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:40 pm

ok my thoughts
its say "exterior use only "but must be safe-ish for occasional passing contact
https://www.barrettinepro.co.uk/25/279/ ... substitute
you have diluted it twice now so should be minimum danger contact wise
if it doesnt smell overly strong then probably rule out danger to lungs but take note of any off any symptoms including eye or skin irritation as a danger warning
i suspect there will be no actual danger to health but suspect fabric or clothing may suffer minimal reversible [a wash] damage to medium discolouration to light chemical burns :dunno: