How to Use the Top 4 Options

There are 4 commonplace butcher block sealer choices: mineral oil, an oil and beeswax combo, Waterlox, and polyurethane. The product you select will decide how usually it’s essential 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 provide 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 provide some safety in opposition to divots. 

Selecting a food-safe sealer on your butcher block is important, particularly in the event you use your counter as a slicing board. 

The right 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 it’s essential reseal it.

Mineral Oil – Leaves a matte end, use as soon as every day for the primary week after which swap to each 1-4 weeks, relying on use.Oil and Beeswax Combo – Leaves a tender shine. Apply each week for a month after which apply each 3-4 weeks afterward.Waterlox – Obtainable in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin sheens. It might provide safety for as much as ten years.Polyurethane – Is available in varied finishes. It might last as long as 1-2 years, relying on the frequency of use.

The right 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 utility.

For a brand-new butcher block, you’ll want to use a coat of mineral oil daily for the primary week, then each week for the next month. From there, apply a coat of mineral oil each week or two to stop your wooden counters from drying out or warping.

In case your butcher block counters have a polyurethane or wax coating, you need to sand it off earlier than utilizing mineral oil. The oil can’t penetrate via 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 your complete counter and edges. Permit the oil to set for fifteen minutes, then wipe off the surplus with a contemporary fabric.

The right way to Seal a Butcher Block Counter with an Oil and Beeswax Combo

A mix of mineral wax and beeswax (also called butcher block conditioner) will fill in small divots within the wooden and go away a water-resistant coating on the countertop. Many householders desire a butcher block conditioner over mineral oil for dark-colored wooden.

In case your counter has a stain, polyurethane, or movie end, you’ll must 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 incorporates food-grade mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax. Right here’s tips on how to 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 tender, clear fabric to use the product to the countertop and edges. Permit to sit down in a single day, and wipe away extra within the morning.

Apply a Whole 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 right way to Seal Butcher Block with WaterLox 

Waterlox is a resin-modified tung oil product. It’ll go away a protecting movie in your counter tops that may final 7-10 years. It’s meals secure when cured however incorporates 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. If you would like a distinct sheen, equivalent 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 tender 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 accordance with the WaterLox web site, after 24 hours, you need to dampen a microfiber pad with mineral spirits and gently wipe the counter to take away any sanding residue earlier than transferring 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 closing coat, swap 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 right 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 go away brush marks on the counter. Be conscious 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 will likely be seen.

Check with the product’s package deal for full dry/remedy time earlier than utilizing your counter tops.