Preparing an oak Kitchen worktop

JohnB47

I've had an oak worktop (small blocks all glued together) for quite a few years now. I think I made a mistake at the start by using too many coats of Junckers Rustic Oil. This made it look like a varnished surface and it did well for a while but then certain areas wore down or little cracks appeared, water got in and would stain or turn black.

So I'm planning to sand it right down and start again.

Any advice on what product to use and how to apply it?

I had a large piece of unsealed oak sitting outside for years in all weathers and mould never grew on it. So I think I need to seal the surface but not create a skin that water can get under and attract mould.

Thanks.

DavidFx

Being an oiled surface, the sandpaper will clog very quickly and it will take forever. Use a scraper such as this:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/harris-heavy-duty-tungsten-carbide-wood-scraper-9/45940

Much quicker - finish with sandpaper.

Private_Church

To apply another finish to the worktop you need to remove all the existing Junkers Oil so you could try scraping off the majority of the oil using a scraper as David Fx suggest but you will need to use glasspaper to remove the rest of the oil. Start with 80 grit paper,then 120 grit then 340 grit (Flour paper). Easier still is hire a Random orbital sander ,attach it to a hoover and do it that way .You get various grits/grades of Glasspaper with them.

Then when you have removed all the existing finish ,coat the worktop in OSMO Top oil (satin or Matt finish). Two coats will be enough. I make Joinery including kitchens and OSMO Top oil is the best treatment I've used. Easily applied with good instructions on the tin.


Edit: Sandpaper is used on the bottom of budgie cages , Glasspaper is used for sanding timber.

JohnB47

Thanks everyone. Very helpful replies.

I'll certainly buy one of those tools and use the correct glasspaper.

So tell me, if I use Osmo Top Oil and apply as indicated, then the surface will deal with wet plates being set on it? I've now become used to wiping plates before setting them down but a certain other person in the house doesn't.

Thanks again.

Chrishazle

Friend of mine went through exactly what you're going through - but from initial treatment with Liberon Finishing Oil. Sanded it all back and used Osmo - I believe (if you look at their website) there's a pre-treatment before the top oil - and it's superb, has not gone sticky and is wipe clean.

magn8p

@JohnB47 - Hope you got all your answers. But just in case you are still checking this space I have started with LG Harris wood scraper (http://amzn.to/2hFBZBc) and finished off with Black & Decker sander (http://amzn.to/2jupw3X)

Finallly I applied a coat of Osmo polyx to protect it (http://amzn.to/2iYlJrK)

All the best.

Tom_Jones1

Use an electric sanding machine to prep the area with a 60 grit sand paper (Note: make sure you follow the grain of the wood when doing this). After this process, lightly wet the area to clean the surface and get an idea of what it would look like if you are going to oil the worktop. You can also identify any areas you may have missed before moving on. If all is well and you're happy, proceed to varnish/oil.