- Choose a water- or oil-based wood stain in the color you prefer. Oil-based stains are longer lasting and more stain resistant.
- Test the stain on a small section of the butcher block. ...
- Let the stain dry for 2 hours and inspect the color. ...
- Paint on a layer of stain parallel to the direction of the boards. ...
- Let the stain dry for at least 8 hours. Give the stain plenty of time to dry before you apply a second layer.
- Apply a second layer of stain to the butcher block. ...
How to clean, sanitize, and seal butcher block?
Materials
- If your butcher block countertop has an odor, clean it with warm water and liquid dish soap to wipe off any excess food residue.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the block’s surface once it has dried and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Scrub the block using a clean cloth dipped in a mixture of white vinegar and water (one part vinegar to three parts water).
How to refinish and restore your butcher block?
Tools
- Nitrile gloves
- nylon scrub brush
- Sponge
- Medium-grit sandpaper
- microfiber cloth
- Random orbit sander
- sandpaper - 100- and 150-grit
- 5-In-1 Painter's Tool
How to get stains out of a butcher block countertop?
Things You Will Need
- Rag or sponge
- Table salt
- Knife
- Lemon
- Cotton swab
- 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
- Bleach
- Bucket
- Protective gloves
- Vinegar
What's safe to use to finish Butcher Block?
Pure tung oil is a good choice for a food safe wood finish for your butcher block countertop or kitchen island. It's easy to apply, nontoxic and leaves a beautiful matte finish that fits into almost any home style.
Do you stain or seal butcher block first?
Also stain your butcher block if you've had your counters for several years and the current finish is looking worn or faded. Sand the wood before staining, then select a wood stain and apply at least 2 coats. Then finish the stain with a coat of tung oil or other food-safe sealant.
How do you seal and finish a butcher block?
0:574:17How To Seal Butcher Block Countertops - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you try to use other oils like olive oil or cooking oil canola. Oil those types of things it'llMoreIf you try to use other oils like olive oil or cooking oil canola. Oil those types of things it'll it'll go bad on you there's other oils. You can use. But this is the best and most cost-effective.
How do you darken and seal a butcher block?
0:253:54how do i make butcher block darker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'm going to show you how to make it darker. Step number one teabags recycled teabags that you'veMoreSo I'm going to show you how to make it darker. Step number one teabags recycled teabags that you've used already number two hot water okay you want to make a hot tea and make it very strong.
What is the best sealant for butcher block countertops?
How to seal butcher block countertops with film finishesWaterlox Original Sealer Finish (opens in new tab) is a resin-modified tung oil/mineral spirits product that is food-safe and non-toxic when cured.Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac (opens in new tab)is easy to clean and cures to create a non-toxic finish.More items...•
Should butcher block be sealed?
Once installed, it's important to treat or seal the butcher block to keep it from drying out and staining. There are a lot of options for products to treat butcher block, but one of the simplest and least expensive is mineral oil.
What kind of stain do you use on butcher block?
There are two types of wood stain especially suited to finish butcher block countertops. An oil-based stain for kitchen countertops is extremely durable and soaks into the wood to form a strong barrier to moisture. This type of interior wood stain or wood finish is also more scratch-resistant than a water-based stain.
Is there a food safe stain for butcher block countertops?
Watco® Butcher Block Oil + Stain is specially formulated for use on wooden butcher blocks, cutting boards, salad bowls and other wood applications which require a food safe finish. Easy to apply and maintain, it is nontoxic and safe for food contact when fully dried (meets government standards of 21CFR 175.300).
Can you put polyurethane on butcher block?
Follow these steps to easily waterproof your butcher block countertops with Polyurethane: Sand the counters until they're completely clean. Vacuum any dirt off the surface and apply a natural stain. Apply a thick coat of Polyurethane, a liquid coating that dries into a plastic.
How to get a butcher block stain off?
If you’d like the butcher block to be darker still, apply a third layer of stain.
How long does it take for a butcher block stain to dry?
Let the stain dry for 8 hours before applying the next layer. When the stain is completely dry, seal your butcher block by applying 5 layers of tung oil., Allow each layer to dry for a full 12 hours before using a rag to apply the next coat. To learn how to pick the right stain for your butcher block, keep reading!
How to paint butcher block?
Brush on 1 layer of wood conditioner. Use a 3 inches (7.6 cm) paintbrush to apply an even layer of conditioner across the entire surface of butcher block. Paint in long, even strokes that parallel the direction of the wood blocks. Give the conditioner at least 2 hours to dry.
How to remove scratches from butcher block?
Coarse sandpaper will remove any prior stains or varnishes from the butcher block, as well as any marks or scratches the wood has on the surface. Sand along the grain of the wood using long strokes.
How long does it take for a stain to dry on a counter?
Let the stain dry for 2 hours and inspect the color. If the wood has an even, consistent color and the stain brings out the texture of the wood grain, you’re ready to stain the entire counter. If the stain looks splotchy or has given the wood different tones, try a different brand or color of stain.
What to do if stain looks splotchy?
If the stain looks splotchy or has given the wood different tones, try a different brand or color of stain.
What is the best stain for wood?
Choose a water- or oil-based wood stain in the color you prefer. Oil-based stains are longer lasting and more stain resistant. They also penetrate more deeply into the wood. Water-based stains are generally quicker to apply. Decide which you want to use, then bring home a few color swatches to determine which you prefer.
November 18, 2021
If I had a dollar for every question I’ve gotten about my butcher block countertops… I could probably buy marble instead. Just kidding–I do love my butcher block.
Oil vs. Polyurethane
After a deep-dive into Google, Pinterest and every other resource under the sun, I concluded the two most popular ways to finish butcher block were oiling and sealing. I’ll save you some time and cut straight to the chase.
How To Finish Butcher Block with Polyurethane
Okay I’m going to write out these steps and you’re literally going to wonder why I bothered writing a blog post about this because it’s SO simple.
How long does it take for waterlox to dry?
Wipe with a microfiber cloth. Repeat the Waterlox application. Let it dry 24 hours. STEP SIX – repeat the sanding, wiping, and Waterlox process one more time.
What does a counter look like when finished?
When the entire counter is finished, it might look a little dull and streaky – don’t despair! Once you add the sealer coats, the shine softens everything.
Is Waterlox a good tung oil sealer?
I chose Waterlox because it gave me sort of the best of both a tung oil sealer and a polyurethane sealer. Waterlox is more water and stain resistant than tung oil but doesn't have to be completely removed and redone if it gets a worn spot, as with urethane.
Can you use wood conditioner on water based stain?
If you’re using a water-based stain, use a wood conditioner meant for water-based stains. I was using a water-based stain so usedthis wood conditioner. The counters won’t look much different at this point, just perhaps a little more intensely grained.
How to Refinish Butcher Block
Butcher block is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because of its affordability and versatility. It’s also one of the most forgiving materials for countertops. If it stains or gets damaged, it can be sanded and refinished to like-new condition.
How to Prep Butcher Block for Staining
Most butcher block countertops are purchased unfinished. This means that while you can choose the finished color for your countertops, it also requires some work.
How to Stain Butcher Block
Before learning how to stain butcher block, you need to choose your stain. There are two types of wood stain especially suited to finish butcher block countertops. An oil-based stain for kitchen countertops is extremely durable and soaks into the wood to form a strong barrier to moisture.
How to Seal Butcher Block
Sealing butcher block countertops is the last step. You can choose from a matte or gloss finish. If you plan to prep food on your butcher block countertops, look for a food-safe sealer. Using a foam brush, apply sealer over wood surfaces and let dry. Repeat for a final coat.
How to Maintain Butcher Block
It’s easy to care for butcher block countertops. Clean with soap and water and add vinegar to the mixture to make an antibacterial cleaning solution. If your butcher block gets stained or damaged, you can sand away the stain and refinish the countertop.
What is the best finish for butcher block?
That said, there are some pros to choosing a film finish for your butcher block. Unlike filling the pores with oil which repels water, a film finish provides a protective, plastic-like coating which is better at preventing stains.
What is a butcher block counter?
Historically, a butcher’s block was a piece of wood created by laminating small blocks of wood together, with the end-grain exposed on the surface. This method used leftover scraps of wood to create something more durable than a solid slab, which is prone to warping. The durability of the laminated construction made something that could withstand the constant use and moisture of a butcher’s shop.
How long does it take for a countertop to cure?
Food-safe status isn’t reached until the product is totally cured, which takes about 30 days, on average. Just because the surface is dry doesn’t mean it’s ready for contact with food. To prevent stains, always remove food waste promptly, wash the countertop with a hot soapy cloth, and towel dry. Carol J. Alexander.
Can you cut butcher block?
Cutting against the grain causes fibers to raise up, giving your countertop a fuzzy feeling. Woodworkers discourage cutting on a butcher block countertop for this reason. But, if you believe you may use the countertop as a cutting surface for food, you’ll need to use a food-grade sealant. If not, you have more options.
How to apply film finish to wood?
To apply a film finish, always start by sanding the surface. Begin with 120-grit sandpaper and work up to 400-grit. Always sand with the grain of the wood, not forgetting the edges. Once it’s as smooth as glass, apply the finish following the manufacturer’s directions.
Can you cut food on a butcher block countertop?
Woodworkers discourage cutting on a butcher block countertop for this reason. But, if you believe you may use the countertop as a cutting surface for food, you’ll need to use a food-grade sealant. If not, you have more options.
Can you mix film finish with oil?
Mixing a film finish with oil creates a mess. And, if you want to refinish an older butcher block with a different type of finish, you will need to completely remove the old one. Some products mix beeswax with oil. The wax helps the wood to repel water better than oil alone.
How to apply gel stain to wood?
Application – Apply with a foam brush or soft cloth in the direction of the grain. After 2-3 minutes, wipe off excess with clean cloth. Refer to manufacturer for dry times and number of coats.
How to get sawdust out of a drywall wall?
A quick vacuum with the brush attachment will clear away most of that sawdust. A wipe with a clean damp rag will get the rest.
Can you sharpen butcher block edges?
If you’ve made cuts to your butcher block, those cut edges can be sharp. A quick sanding to those edges will blend them into the already smooth ones we provided.
Do you need to sand between coats of stain?
PRO TIP – You DO NOT need to sand between coats of stain.
Can you sand between coats of polyurethane?
Sanding between coats??? – YES!!! Sanding between coats is highly recommended for polyurethanes. This will ensure you a smooth high-quality finish. Normally done with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper or sanding sponge. Be sure to remove all dust created from sanding with a damp cloth before applying additional coats.
What is the stain on butcher block countertops?
The thing that’s deceiving about dark butcher block countertops stains is that usually they are stained with “regular'” polyurethane stains such as Minwax, Rustoleum, etc. and those stains aren’t food safe.
Do you need to stain wood before installing a counter?
Use a scrap piece of your wood before you go slathering your end product with stain. Preferably do this before you install your counters. Yes, people have done this. I cannot emphasize this point enough. DO A TEST STAIN.
Does Ikea have solid butcher block?
IKEA currently does not have solid butcher block options anymore. But what they do have are the KARLBY, BARKABODA, MOLLEKULLA, PINNARP and the ECKBACKEN, which are a wood veneer and wood blend.
