There are 4 normal butcher block sealer choices: mineral oil, an oil and beeswax combo, Waterlox, and polyurethane. The product you select will decide how usually you must seal your counter tops, starting from weekly to as much as ten years.
Why Seal Butcher Block Counter tops
Butcher block counters comprise a number of strips of wooden glued collectively. Whereas these counters supply a pure texture to your kitchen, they’re porous, requiring sealant frequently. A sealer protects the counter from absorbing liquid, staining, and rising micro organism. Sealers additionally supply some safety towards divots.
Selecting a food-safe sealer in your butcher block is crucial, particularly when you use your counter as a slicing board.
The best way to Use Every Kind of Butcher Block Sealer
The butcher block sealer you select will have an effect on the looks of your counter and the way usually you must reseal it.
- Mineral Oil – Leaves a matte end, use as soon as day by day for the primary week after which change to each 1-4 weeks, relying on use.
- Oil and Beeswax Combo – Leaves a delicate shine. Apply each week for a month after which apply each 3-4 weeks afterward.
- Waterlox – Out there in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin sheens. It may supply safety for as much as ten years.
- Polyurethane – Is available in varied finishes. It may last as long as 1-2 years, relying on the frequency of use.
The best way to Seal a Butcher Block Counter with Mineral Oil
Meals-safe mineral oil works by soaking into the butcher block and making a barrier on the floor. It’s one of many best butcher block sealers to use however requires frequent software.
For a brand-new butcher block, you’ll want to use a coat of mineral oil each day for the primary week, then each week for the next month. From there, apply a coat of mineral oil each week or two to forestall your wooden counters from drying out or warping.
In case your butcher block counters have a polyurethane or wax coating, you have to sand it off earlier than utilizing mineral oil. The oil can’t penetrate by means of a wax, Waterlox, or polyurethane coating.
- Clear Your Counters
Scrape off any meals residue, clear your counters, and permit them to dry. If there was a earlier end on the counters, sand it off and clear them once more.
- Apply the Mineral Oil
Apply a liberal quantity of oil to your counter tops with a lint-free fabric, guaranteeing you coat the whole counter and edges. Permit the oil to set for fifteen minutes, then wipe off the surplus with a contemporary fabric.
The best way to Seal a Butcher Block Counter with an Oil and Beeswax Combo
A mix of mineral wax and beeswax (also referred to as butcher block conditioner) will fill in small divots within the wooden and depart a water-resistant coating on the countertop. Many householders choose a butcher block conditioner over mineral oil for dark-colored wooden.
In case your counter has a stain, polyurethane, or movie end, you’ll have to sand it off earlier than making use of a butcher block conditioner.
Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner is among the hottest oil and beeswax sealers for butcher block. It comprises food-grade mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax. Right here’s use it.
- Clear Your Butcher Block
Guarantee your counters are free from all meals particles, clear, and dry.
- Apply Butcher Block Conditioner and Permit to Sit In a single day
Use a delicate, clear fabric to use the product to the countertop and edges. Permit to take a seat in a single day, and wipe away extra within the morning.
- Apply a Complete of 3-4 Coats for Model New Counters
In case your counters are model new, repeat the method, including a complete of 3-4 coats.
- Reapply as Wanted
When the counters begin to look or really feel dry, reapply one coat of the product.
The best way to Seal Butcher Block with WaterLox
Waterlox is a resin-modified tung oil product. It can depart a protecting movie in your counter tops that may final 7-10 years. It’s meals secure when cured however comprises VOCs, so remember to work in a well-ventilated space and put on security goggles and a masks.
For the primary coats, you’ll use the WaterLox unique formulation, which has a medium sheen. In order for you a special sheen, comparable to semi-gloss, satin, or gloss, you’ll use that as your final coat.
- Sand and Clear Your Butcher Block Counters
Sand your butcher block counters to take away the earlier end, then clear them with mineral spirits.
- Apply Your First Coat of WaterLox
Apply the primary coat of WaterLox with a delicate fabric or buffing pad. Wipe off extra and permit the primary coat to dry in a single day.
- Apply the Second Coat
Apply the second coat with a brush or pad and permit it to dry for twenty-four hours.
In keeping with the WaterLox web site, after 24 hours, you have to dampen a microfiber pad with mineral spirits and gently wipe the counter to take away any sanding residue earlier than shifting to the subsequent step. Permit the mineral spirits to evaporate (about 30 min) earlier than making use of the final coat.
- Apply the Third Coat
In your ultimate coat, change to your required sheen if relevant. Apply with a brush or ending pad and permit it to dry for twenty-four hours.
Don’t use your counter tops for at the very least 24 hours after the final coat, and proceed with mild use for seven days.
The best way to Seal Butcher Block with Polyurethane
Polyurethane types a protecting waterproof coating, stopping your butcher block from absorbing water and marking. One of many advantages of polyurethane is which you could get a number of finishes, permitting you to customise the sheen of your counter tops.
- Sand and Clear Your Counters
Sand your counter tops to take away any earlier end. Then clear them with mineral spirits and permit them to dry.
- Apply the First Coat
Use a brush to use the primary coat of polyurethane, coating the highest of the counter and edges. Work quick so that you don’t depart brush marks on the counter. Be aware of drips.
Wait at the very least six hours earlier than making use of the second coat.
- Apply the Second Coat
Apply a second coat of polyurethane along with your brush. Once more, don’t overwork the product or brush strokes shall be seen.
Check with the product’s bundle for full dry/remedy time earlier than utilizing your counter tops.
