Kitchen worktop sanding

slhqoue

Hi there,

I'm looking to sand and re-oil my kitchen worktop. Our kitchen is not massive and the current oiled surface is pretty light - photos attached. It's in fairly good state it's more that the oil has worn away in places, although there are a few black marks around the sink.

I could either use a mouse sander or a neighbour's expensive belt sander. I'm worried the belt sander is overkill and will take off too much wood. I'm also wondering if I need to completely remove the oil before reapplying.

Currently the sufrace is oiled with Rustins Original Danish Oil. I'm torn between using this again or switching to Fiddes Satin Finish Hard Wax Oil, which seems much more waterproof.

Any advice/suggestions appreciated.

FreeBear

Unless you plan on taking the worktop outside to sand, you don't want to be using a belt sander. And if you do, don't use any coarse grits - Way too easy to gouge out lumps.

slhqoue

Do you reckon a mouse sander would do the job on a worktop this size and condition?

FreeBear

Something like this -> https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb889sdr-electric-1-3-sheet-sander-240v/863vv

And keep the mouse sander for doing the edges.

Don't forget dust extraction, and wear a decent dust mask whilst sanding.

slhqoue

But would a mouse sander do in a pinch? Don't want to buy more than one sander ideally! 

FreeBear

A mouse sander would do it. Won't be quick, and you'll get through quite a few pads.

greyteam1959

Why not just sand it by hand ??

jonnydeppiwish!

I’d do it by hand - only needs a light sand, and you can read if needed between coats of new oil

pmartin86

I can't quite tell how large your surface area is from picutres, but I'll give my eperience for reference.

I have 2 "desks" with Oak worktops, one is 3.5m x 600 deep, the other is aboutg 2.4m x 600 deep, theres also a shelf about 800cm x 300cm.

I eat and drink at the desk a lot, so does my wife, so water rings arent exactly "rare", the desks are to be used and abused, and are regularly.

I have a cheap  mouse sander, something like this, https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-edls160-160w-electric-detail-sander-220-240v/769fx

I sand it back about once a year and reoil it with Rustins oil, I bought a mixed pack of sanding sheets a few years ago (maybe 80 sheets for 15-20 quid?) and am less than half way trhough them. It's probably a full days work once the desks are clear, but it always comes up "pristine" each run.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

Black around the sink is likely from the presence of water, this staining sits within the wood and may not sand out if it runs deeper than you sand, online sources suggest treating with oxalic acid although I've not tried it before. 

Main thing with sanding a work top is doing it evenly, belt sander is over kill, mouse/orbital sander is an option but you need to sand evenly across the whole surface, if you sand more in areas where there are marks when the light reflects in a certain direction you'll see the unevenness in the surface. 

Unless you are familiar with using a muse/orbital sander, slow and steady by hand by would be my recommendation.

When sanding wood don't use too high a grit as this closes the surface of the wood preventing your finish from soaking in, I wouldn't sand with anything finer than 120 grit.