Treating Wooden Kitchen Worktop

[Howitzer]

Hi all,

The worktop in the kitchen needs some attention. We love the look and the feel but it isn't very well protected and marks very easily.

There are fine cracks in the surface in the most used areas and the grooves for the drainage board are stained black. It looks like it has never been treated in any way since it was installed.







Would this be just a case of a light rub down and then a clear varnish? We like the matt finish as it is warm and natural looking but also need the practicality so i'm not worrying about the worktop all the time

Any advice is much appreciated.

Dave!

[Simpo Two]

Give it a damn good sanding - that stain probably goes down 1-2mm. After that you can either use teak oil or a specialised synthetic varnish like Polyx Oil (which comes in gloss, satin and matt I think)

[m3jappa]

b&q do an oil which is for kitchens, hygenic sumin or ova ?

When i did mine i rubbed them back to bare wood (lots of boring work) Then i used a coloured danish oil (jakobean oak) 2 or 3 coats and then 2 coats of the hygenic stuff which is clear.

Made an enormous difference and probably looked better than new.

[Shaw Tarse]

Have a word with Mobile Chicane (I think she oiled her tops?)

[Spudler]

Wire wool, sand it and treat with Rustins Danish Oil.

[sleep envy]

fnar!

I did ours a few months back, it's a pain in the arse - lots of rubbing with very fine paper and tack rags to lift all the fine dust

I used a Sikkens matt finish oil as I'm not a big fan of varnished wood or gloss finishes

[Griff Boy]

Spudler said:

Wire wool, sand it and treat with Rustins Danish Oil.

Wot he said!

Rustins is the oil finish recommended by my suppliers of solid timber tops, also the combination of initial sanding and the wire wool before and between coats is good advice.

I would apply a min of 3 coats, allowing the surface to dry properly between coats. Always keep on top of the wet areas especially. The drained grooves are a PITA! It may be worth starting to use a plastic drainer board that sits on the top and can ge put away afterwards. Most of the black damage is caused by water sitting on the wood and no being wiped down properly.

[Howitzer]

Many thanks for all the replies

We use a strainer which catches any dripping water underneath it and wipe the top down religiously, I'm terrified of spilling some Spagetti Bolognaise on it

I'll wait till Missus Howitzer goes to work and do it then, 3 coats in a day should be doable, hopefully there is no colour change.

I shall post up a picture when I get it done.

Dave!

[louiebaby]

Shaw Tarse said:

Have a word with Mobile Chicane (I think she oiled her tops?)