How to stain / varnish a pine mantelpiece?

[Gyvybe]

Hi everyone,

A year ago AnswerBank community helped me decide whether or not I should brick up a fireplace hole in the wall. We've kept it and are very happy with a cast iron wood-burning fireplace that was installed together with a pine wood mantelpiece.

The installer said that the wooden mantelpiece should be left untreated for several weeks so that the wood can 'breathe'. And then it's up to us what to do with it.

I was wondering what your advice would be on treating this mantelpiece? Shall we stain it and varnish it? Or shall we just varnish it? Or perhaps it looks better painted? What sort of varnish should be used - since we intend on burning wood in it? Are there 'heat-resistant' varnishes on the market?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[ummmm]

I would stain it and wax it. Mine are like that so I'm not sure on the heat proof element.

Or stain it and use matt varnish.

[heathfield]

I'd avoid any waxing. If you later want to paint or varnish wood that's been waxed, you're going to regret having done it. As to heat resistance - how many fire surrounds have you seen with damaged paintwork? Not many! so nearly any paint or varnish should do. But if you're still worried, there's a Ronseal ''Ultra Tough Varnish'' that's advertised as heat resistant.