FWIW, When I purchased the IPE for my deck, I also purchased Messmers UV
protection for hardwoods as recommended by the to "finish" the deck. See
link for more information.

Snip from website:
a.. Penetrating Natural Oil Finish
a.. Specially formulated for hardwoods like Ipe and Mahogany
a.. Exceptional color retention
a.. Protects and conditions valuable wood decks and other wood surfaces
Web Address: http://www.messmers.com/prod_uh.html

I have not put it on as the wood needed to sit for a period of time before
having the finish applied. Due to the winter weather, it's going to be
spring before it gets on. The deck has weathered beautifully for the past
several months. Turns the IPE a deep reddish brown color that makes it so
attractive. My goal is to finish the deck so that I can maintain the rich
deep reddish brown color.

In reading about applying the Messmers finish, what I found was people
stated that if you didn't sand the IPE, the finish would take fine, but if
you sanded the IPE, you would need another coat in about 3-4 months. This
was not from woodworkers so I am not sure what type of sanding was done.
Either way, once the second coat was on, it maintains well.

Might be worth a try given that it is designed for the out doors. I expect
the soaps and other bathroom supplies would clean up fine.

Not sure how much of a rush this needs to be done, but you could take a few
IPE boards and do test finishes and tests of anything you might expect to
ruin the finish.

David

"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 97.136...
A friend has been redoing his master bath, as his time and energy allows.
I've been helping him. He's good company, a wealth of knowledge, and has
been a really good fellow for the 35 years or so I've known his family.

His wife got it into her head she wants a wooden vanity top. The base is
red oak, which Stan has finished to within an inch of it's life.
(Stanley's hobby has been making stringed instruments, for the fun of it.)
So he asked about oak - could I help him put something together?

I hemmed and hawed about the materials, and suggested we find something
more suitable. I've seen mahogany vanity tops, and teak, but I think that
might just break whatever budget there is, and may not give the look they
want.

Has anyone done ipe in this, or a similar application? Or another
tropical? Something darkish, and not $15/bf?

Tooling isn't a problem, and we can get almost anything in the SF Bay
Area,
if we bring enough money. I'd like not to have to redo this one. That
bathroom has been 'in progress' for 18 months, at least.

Patriarch