I've been so torn between doing my kitchen wood counters using Waterlox or Monocoat. A woodsmith company near me told me about the Rubio Monocoat and said they had just used it on a kitchen counter for someone and loved it.

I used Waterlox on my bathroom floor and love it.

The plus with the Monocoat, of course, is that it needs only one application. My concern, though, is that, because it's a kitchen counter, is it and only one coat really enough, esp. around the sink? Also, Monocoat does need to be reapplied every 3 - 6 years - at least on floors (so you know, Daisychain!).

In addition, it's impossible from the Monocoat site to tell what the colors really are like, and I don't have the time or the money to start having them send multiple samples.

However, I'd prefer the oil/soft look of the monocrat over the more glossy of the Waterlox.

Downside of Waterlox is that it would take a number of coats, plus staining, so would take time, and with Christmas coming up, it would probably mean I wouldn't have my counters in until the New Year. But I'd feel more secure, water-damage wise, with the Waterlox.

But, so glad you love the Monocoat on your floors and feel you made the right decision. Like I said, the guy at the Woodsmiths near me told me about it and also said it's great stuff.

Hey, Tibbrix, I am having the same debate. Our island top is unfinished maple and I keep going back and forth between doing it in the Rubio or staining it and varnishing. We can't get waterlox here, but about 10 years ago when we did our kitchen the first time, I was totally sold on the product. I wouldn't' do it now even if it was available just because I've heard the process and smell are really intense. But so many say it is the only thing to have around a sink. I haven't researched the Rubio to see how it would hold up around water on counters because our island isn't plumbed.

I hear ya about the colour thing as well. Even the company we contracted with didn't have samples of their colours. It was a huge risk for us, but we are really happy with the colour we chose (Pure) which really isn't a colour at all.

Thanks for the update. I decided to do Rubiomonocoat, & had to search for an experienced installer since my builder didn't want to experiment on my house. My builder is great, since he's going with it even though he's unsure.

I've just been on the monocoat.us site and did some more detailed reading of it. That' what I'm going with! I was impressed by the technology of it, that it causes the wood fibers to compress and bond, so it's not even that it "needs" only one coat but rather it will only take one coat because once the reaction occurs, the wood fibers can't take another coat. Impressive.

It's also safer, i.e.: food/health.

It's also a lot easier to repair if needed, and really impressive is that, if you do need to do a repair, because of the bonding technology, any bonded fibers around the area being repaired will not take the new Monocoat being applied! I think that's amazing.

Their site does have a gallery with pic of kitchen counters, including one around a kitchen sink with a big ol' puddle of water on it.

As well, kitchen counters are certainly a heck of a lot easier to re-coat every 3- 6 years, as recommended, than floors.

So, Monocoat it will be for my kitchen counters. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on an island counter (is there a sink in the island?). My only concern with the Monocoat, aside from the color, was the water around the sink, thing. But that seems to be resolved for me.

I'm going to order three samples: Antique Bronze, Castle Brown, and Walnut. I want a rich somewhat deep but not dark brown with gold highlights but with NO red or orange.

Meris, have you had it put down yet? What color did you choose?

The Monocoat looks great, Daisy. Everything you've chosen does!

Sorry Tibbrix, I missed your comment in the crush is f the holidays and remodeling. No, it's not down yet. I'm planning on the 5% white since that one is the closest to a clear color. I will post once I get it done for others interested. It'll prob be a month or so.

Daisy, how are your floors holding up?