Cutting Board Restorations: The Secret to a Lifetime of Use

Hello friends and neighbors. Today I have a fun one for you that you can do with me, unless you have no wooden items in your kitchen. You can use this on older wooden tables, too. This skill will benefit you in many situations. Wooden cutting boards, utensils, or even grandma’s old wooden bowl you wanted. When wood is used and especially cleaned with water and soap, over time it will lose its finish and become dull and dry. If left untreated, it could end up with cracks and even break down the road. First, here is a list of supplies you will need and can order or get from your local hardware store:

1. SANDPAPER, 100-120 GRIT, NOTHING HIGHER! 

2. OLD WHITE TEE SHIRT RAGS, MICROFIBER OR LINT RAGS. (you will need a few)

3. TUNG OIL (Minwax, Watco, Old Masters, and Hopes are a few brands)

4. CITRUS SOLVENT (d-Limonene) 

First, let me go over the biology. In our bodies, we have muscle fibers. Without getting too deep, these fibers are like hollow tubes, and they are primarily filled with water. The wood grain in a tree is very similar. They are like hollow tubes, and when the tree is alive, they are filled with water. When we cut the tree down and cut it up into lumber, this water starts to dry out. Extreme dry environments, as well as extreme humid environments, can cause damage over time. Which is why wood needs to be treated and/or sealed. Wood can be sealed, but if nothing penetrates the wood fibers, then it can still dry out over time. Polyurethanes are considered drying chemicals and polymerize, so when they dry or evaporate, they form a protective film. Most oils are typically non-drying. Tung oil will dry after it cures, so it is considered a drying oil. When it cures, the oil molecules crosslink with the wood fibers and create a durable, safe, non- toxic protection. Which is why we recommend it. Vegetable oil will work, just like you season a cast-iron pan; however, vegetable oil can get rancid. Not good. And polys are toxic, even though after they cure, the risk is almost entirely gone. When choosing tung oil, do not get dark Tung oil unless you want to deepen the color of your item. Now lets get to work!

STEP 1. SAND the wood down. If you haven’t addressed the cutting board before, it may be rough and even a little dry and fuzzy. You are going to sand down the wood until it starts to get smooth. We don’t use over a 120 grit because the finer you sand it down, the harder the surface, which will prevent the oil from penetrating like we want to. 

STEP 2. CLEAN off the sawdust. Use your rags, and if you have it, a blast of air from your compressor is really nice, but not necessary. 

STEP 3. MIX an even amount of the oil and the citrus solvent together. Tung oil is thick and does not penetrate that well on its own. By mixing these together, you are diluting the oil and making it less viscous, so the wood can absorb it faster. This will take several coats. Start by dipping your rag into the liquid and applying a generous, even coat. We don’t want puddles. Wipe off existing and wait. It should look wet. The drier the wood, the more oil it will absorb. You will notice the oil start to dry and lighten up.  Usually within 20-45 minutes.  This means it’s absorbing into the wood. Every 30 minutes to an hour, what you want to do is reapply the liquid to all the dry areas. Repeat this process until it stays looking wet. This could take up to 3 or 4 coats if you are working on larger areas. Once the areas stop absorbing, then you are done. Wipe off any excess. 

STEP 4. CURE the wood. You should not use your item until the oil has dried. Light use after 7-10 days. Full cure time is 30 days.

If you do follow these steps and are patient enough to wait, then you will be able to enjoy your wood for a lifetime! Here at Cover Trends, we offer beautiful Hardwood Butcher Block counter Tops for those wanting a very unique yet warm and functional part of your kitchen or bathroom. And now that I have just shown you how to care for your butcher block countertop, you don’t have to be afraid of adding some character to your home! We offer a variety of species and looks to accommodate your preferences. And if you are still scared, we can do the finishing for you!