refinishing butcher block countertop

Is there anything that I need to do differently when refinishing butcher-block countertops? Mine are caked with grease and grime in the corners.

 

Melissa:

The first thing you need to do is clean it. Clorox Cleanup from the grocery store, or TSP (trisodium phosphate) from your paint store will do the trick, combined with a stiff brush and some elbow grease. I would suggest eye protection and rubber gloves with either product.

There are a number of finishes available for countertops. I suggest a tung oil finish for a number of reasons. 1- It's almost fool proof in application; 2- It's easily repaired if the need arises, just apply another coat; 3- It forms a very durable finish after it cures (overnight); 4- It's available in a varity of sheens, from matte (flat) to gloss. Just follow the instructions on the can. Minwax, Zar, and Carver-Tripp all have good products.

Another alternative would be a 'bar top' varnish. Check the following websites for this product; it's not readily available retail.
http://www.liberon.com http://www.vandykes.com

This is all assuming the countertop is wood, and not a laminate pattern, such as Formica.

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George T.

 

I read a few forums on repairing/rafinishing butcher block countertops. I understand they need to be cleaned before refinishing. But how about sanding? How much is too much?

 

Yes, sand it. Clean it first just so the paper doesn't gunk up. But try not to soak the wood - the drier it is when you sand and seal, the better. The ideal way to "clean" the surface prior to sanding is with a scraper.

Sand out all the stains and scratches, down to clear smooth wood. A belt sander would be nice here. You can flatten the top while you're at it by finding high areas with a straightedge and marking them with shallow scratches, then sanding off the scratches. End with fine paper. Then tung oil for all the reasons listed.