Today's
Sponsors:


Logosol

Lumber Resources

Lumber Smith

M.L. Campbell

MACHINEKING.com

MARTIN Woodworking Machines Corp.

Mastercam - CNC Software

Maxima Software

Maya Positioning Equipment

Mereen-Johnson Machine Company

Merritt Woodwork

Microvellum

Middle Valley Lumber

Mikron Woodworking Machinery

Mill Outlet

Millwork Inc.

MLS Machinery

Monarch Machinery

Monarch Metal Z Clip and Panel Clip

Moulder Techniques

Mountainside Wood Products

MultiCam Southeast

Multicam, Inc.

Nail Gun Depot

National Decon

New England Drawer

New England Kiln Drying Association

NEWCNC.com

Newman-Whitney

Nyle Dry Kiln Systems

O'Shea Lumber Company

Old Mississippi Brick and Heart Pine Company

Hoffmann Machine Company

Holz-Her US Inc.

Hot Melt Technologies

Howard S. Twichell Co.

Hvalsoe Sawmill Ltd.

ICA North America

Impact Search and Placement

Industrial Air Solutions

Integra Precision Tooling

InTrading

IpeDepot.com

irsauctions.com

Italpresse

J & G Machinery

J and B Hardwood Co.

J&P Machines

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

JMHsoftware.com

Joos USA Inc.

JusDust.com

KCD Software

Kentucky Pacific Lumber

Kerber Farms and Mill

Keystone Wood Specialties

Keytrix Data Systems

Kleiberit Adhesives USA, Inc.

Kreg Tool Company

Kremlin

Lacy Cypress Inc.

Laguna Tools

Leadermac USA

Leitz Tooling Systems

Lewis Lumber Products

Lignomat

Limtech Industries, Inc.




Finishes for a Butcher-Block Countertop with an Undermount Sink

      Suggestions for finishing wood in a tough environment. April 21, 2011

Question
I strongly recommended against it and stated I will not warranty it, but my customer insists on a maple butcher block top with an under mount sink for her island. I also stated I am not willing to learn how to use a use a finish we are not familiar with. She still insists on the wood top. How well can I expect conversion varnish to last?

Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor B:
About as long as I can hold my breath underwater.



From contributor D:
Boiled linseed oil and turpentine. I had a walnut countertop and treated it like this and it was great. It will take constant maintenance though. I would say to oil it after initial install at a rate of once per month.


From contributor M:
Rocket science this is not. Polyester sealer with an Isocyanate topcoat. Make sure you seal all edges including the sink cutout and faucet hole. Nothing else will hold up. If you are unwilling, you may find a local finisher that will do the project. I just did one in redwood for about $650.


From contributor L:
Is the butcher block counter to be used as a butcher block or knife board? If so, wipe it with vegetable oil occasionally and suggest she have you come back and sand it down every once in a while (for a small fee - repeat business!).

Contributor M, how does that finish stand up once there are nicks and dings, especially on a sink opening? If one of our teenage boys were to wash a pan in the sink, there would definitely be some finish and wood missing!



From contributor M:
Get new boys to wash your pots! If the finish is damaged and you breach the surface, it will cause water to crawl under and lift the finish. The polyester is incredibly durable. We finished a series of Plyboo science displays for a local children's museum about 5 years ago. One is a wave generation display and is constantly flooded with water and I have had no complaints yet.


From contributor G:
Try using teak, and seal the edges with epoxy, then treat it with teak oil.


From contributor A:
Butcher block tops are traditionally treated with mineral oil. Vegetable oils may turn rancid. I don't think you would want a finish that builds on the surface either, especially if this is a prep sink.


From contributor S:
Most people with an island unit can afford a dishwasher, so you may not have to worry about the finish on the maple butcher board.

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?


Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Finishing

  • KnowledgeBase: Finishing: General Wood Finishing




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2012 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    335 Bedell Road
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB













  •   Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article