Oak worktop treatment. Help please

evansmummy

Hello,

We're having a new oak kitchen worktop fitted. Having one in the past and not getting the oil treatment right we ended up with it becoming a mess.
We want it to be a matt look that doesn't 'colour' the worktop but to be as waterproof as possible.
We've had varying reports of what product to use and how many coats to apply and how often to reapply.
Can someone help with the info we need?
We're spending a fair amount on the worktop so want it to be right and last.

Thank you

scottishblondie

I would use Danish oil to seal it, applied liberally with a rag. Allow to soak in, wipe off the excess, allow to dry and repeat as required. You'll need to give it multiple coats. The finish is quite matt, and while it doesn't make it waterproof it is water resistant - i.e. if you leave a spill on it for too long it will still soak into the wood, but it won't happen quickly. It will slightly darken the appearance of the wood, but not too much. If you have access to an offcut or an area of the underside of the worktop that won't be visible, you can try it on there first to see if you like the look.

I'm not sure how often you would need to apply it. Generally speaking you can tell from looking at the wood that it needs done - it looks and feels sort of dry. I've heard some people say they do it every 6 months, but my parents have had beech block worktops in their kitchen for 25 years, and my mother only oils them every few years.

evansmummy

I have been told Danish oil but I'd like something a little more 'waterproof'.
Someone mentioned Junckers.
Any more recommendations?

diywhynot

Osmo products.

cyclonebri1

I'm afraid your "not getting it right" is simply the worktop being used for it's every day purpose, the clue being it is a work top.

Regardless of what you treat it with (the post above is sound), you will have to continually retreat if you want it to retain it's glory.

Please don't get me wrong, I think we have oak in every room in the house, I love it, but in the kitchen it's confined to the unit doors and the beams.

You could always accept the Italian working kitchen view;);)

So what I'm saying if you can make it more presentable for longer, but eventually......

Steve_the_fitter

Dsnish oil will colour the worktops slightly but does a good job of waterproofing them. I think osmo do do an oil which doesnt colour the worktops.
If you look after the worktops correctly and oil them as often as possible the first couple of months ( say once a week ) then once every 2 or 3 month ( or when you think they need them ) they will get better with age

evansmummy

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I'm afraid your "not getting it right" is simply the worktop being used for it's every day purpose, the clue being it is a work top.

Regardless of what you treat it with (the post above is sound), you will have to continually retreat if you want it to retain it's glory.

Please don't get me wrong, I think we have oak in every room in the house, I love it, but in the kitchen it's confined to the unit doors and the beams.

You could always accept the Italian working kitchen view;);)

So what I'm saying if you can make it more presentable for longer, but eventually......

Little bit patronising but thanks all the same