Ask The Trades - Print Page

Ask The Trades
https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Oak butches block worktop. https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1227213406 Message started by Zambezi on Nov 20^th, 2008, 8:36pm

Title: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by Zambezi on Nov 20^th, 2008, 8:36pm

Howdy,
I have been asked to sand some scratches and burn marks out of an oak butchers block type worktop. It is in a right state, I think the last time it was oiled was when it was fitted, which could have been over 10 years ago!
It is in a rental property and the tenants are not known for the DIY/maintenance skills, which is a problem if you have a worktop that needs oiling and a bit of TLC.

Option 1 - sand all the crud and burn marks off, oil and leave the leftover tin of oil with the tenants who will never put it on ...
Option 2 - sand all the crud and burn marks off, varnish (hopefully Wolf does not hear me mentioning varnish!) or some other product that will be oak worktop and tenant friendly.
Option 3 - replace the worktops with something more suitable for rental accommodation, is not an option because it was too expensive.

Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by sparxxxx on Nov 20^th, 2008, 9:47pm

I thought the only way to clean butchers block is by scrubbing with salt.
Any other method seems totally wrong especially if it involves oils or varnish.

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by Zambezi on Nov 20^th, 2008, 10:05pm

It is not really a butchers block, it is laminated pieces of oak to form a worktop. It is used as a normal kitchen worktop, not for chopping raw meat etc. Something like this...
http://www.oakworktops.com/Pages.asp?Page=45

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by woodsmith on Nov 21^st, 2008, 7:22am

I've had the same problem where I've fitted worktops and people don't take the trouble to look after them.

You could use Rustin's plastic coating, its a two pack, very hard finish and I've seen it recommended for this but never used it myself.

What I do is mix finishing oil with satin polyurethane varnish 50-50. For the first couple of coats I mix this mixture with 30-50% turpentine. This really thins it down and it soaks right into the timber. I apply it like an oil so that it doesn't build up a thick varnish like crust and it seems to be pretty durable, certainly better than a straight oil anyway.

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by Twobarrows on Nov 21^st, 2008, 8:55am

sparxxxx wrote on Nov 20^th, 2008, 9:47pm:

I thought the only way to clean butchers block is by scrubbing with salt.
Any other method seems totally wrong especially if it involves oils or varnish.

I worked in a buthchers for a few years whilst I was at university. Blocks were scraped with a block scraper, which was simply a blade with a handle, no fancy edges like a cabinet scraper; then scubbed with a block scrubber which was like an oversized nail brush with bristles of flat blades of metal about 4mm wide. We used all sorts of things to aid cleaning (plenty of bleach!), but never salt.
Blocks didn't stay flat for long because so much material was removed in cleaning, eventually they would be turned over.

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by Zambezi on Nov 21^st, 2008, 9:02am

Ta woodsmith, I think I will give it a go. I will also see if I can find the Rustins plastic stuff (it sounds like a quick fix ;))

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by CWatters on Nov 21^st, 2008, 9:08am

I don't think I wouldn't use a varnish or similar. I think that would make future damage show up even more (eg if water gets into scratches). Would a varnish stick anyway if it's had various unknown oils and grease soaked into it. I think I'd go for option 1 and advise owner it will need regular maintenance. Might be possible to get a glass top for it?

Title: Re: Oak butches block worktop.
Post by Zambezi on Nov 25^th, 2008, 4:23pm

I ordered some of the Rustins Plastic Coating stuff, not cheap! Now all I need is access to the worktops so I can start working on them. I will let you know how I get on, it probably won't dry in my garage which is currently 4 degrees C!