Fixing Butcher Block Counters
I have a butcher block kitchen counter that has been oiled only. Since I don’t cut on it I want to permanently coat over oil with something that will last longer and not dry out. Can you polyurethane over oil?
I have a butcher block kitchen counter that has been oiled only. Since I don’t cut on it I want to permanently coat over oil with something that will last longer and not dry out. Can you polyurethane over oil?
I’ve been using the linseed oil wax from Viking Sales (solventfreepaint dot com). They have a natural linseed oil product that doesnt contain solvents and has all the proteins from the oil removed (vs. what you find at the hardware store). It’s quite oily so it’s great for wood products that you would oil. I don’t bother buffing it, just kind of smear it on with paper towels. Seems to keep the counter and cutting boards protected for longer than oil alone in my dry kitchen. It’s a very different product than something like Briwax (traditional paste wax), which I use on furniture. All that oil would probably just sit on the surface of something with a finish.
I think you are looking for waterlox – check out their website for details. It’s made for this and food safe after curing.
thanks, my apt. is so hot it sucks the oil out and counter looks lighter and dry. I have been doing the oil application about 3 times a year. Watco sounds good…is that at hardware store? BHS…which combo do you use?
thanks, my apt. is so hot it sucks the oil out and counter looks lighter and dry. I have been doing the oil application about 3 times a year. Watco sounds good…is that at hardware store? BHS…which combo do you use?
Consider putting Watco on top. It dries to a hard but low lustre finish. Because it’s also oil (albeit with a lot of solvents added), it is compatible with regular butcher block oil. However, you cannot do food prep on it.
What wax? Obviously it’s not super durable but if you’re not using it that often and just dont want to deal with oiling it often this might slow down any drying-out if that’s your concern. I use a food-safe oil and wax combo on my butcher counter top.
You’d be a lot better off sanding it down & applying tung oil – durable & pretty.
i wouldn’t suggest it. I did and it didn’t work out so well- i sanded it down and now oil it- and the process hasn’t been so good. it will last for a good long time i imagine if you continue to oil it.
No, you need to sand down to new wood with a belt sander, then poly.