Countertops

by Ziggy Liloia

How to Finish Wood Countertops


Wood countertops are a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Whether they’re end grain, edge grain, or live edge countertops, a similar strategy can be used to finish and protect the surfaces from daily wear and tear. It is important to use a product that is food safe and easy to maintain over the lifetime of the countertop. Luckily, we have products that fulfill those needs.


How to Prepare Your Countertop for Finish


If you’re installing a live edge or edge grain countertop, it is recommended to sand the surface up to 150 or 180 grit prior to finishing. A medium grit finish will allow the wood to easily accept oil. If the surface is too finely sanded, the wood pores will be closed and oil will not penetrate as easily or deeply. End grain countertops will easily soak up oil finish due to the grain orientation.


How to Choose the Right Finish


We have two formulas that are ideal for finishing kitchen countertops, BeesBlock Oil and Concentrated Finishing Oil. The most important features of these products are:


  • Food safe

  • Easy to apply

  • Easy to maintain

  • Provide protection against moisture

  • Enhance the appearance of the wood

  • Will not peel or crack over time


BeesBlock Oil is our formula featuring Pure Tung Oil, Special Aged Linseed Oil, and Pure Organic Beeswax. BeesBlock is recommended for nearly all countertop finishing needs. It is very low odor, making it particularly useful in homes that are already occupied or for refinishing needs.


Concentrated Finishing Oil is another option that is slightly quicker to penetrate and dry, useful when the timeline may be shorter. It is composed of Pure Tung Oil, Special Aged Linseed Oil, Citrus Oil, Pure Organic Beeswax, and Pine Rosin. The addition of Citrus Oil can emit an orange smell in the first 24 after application, but it will soon dissipate. Note that ventilation is recommended during the first 24 hours while the citrus evaporates. 

 

How to Finish a Wood Countertop


As soon as the countertop has been sanded, it’s ready for finish. Using a brush, rag, or small roller, spread a small amount of oil across the countertop surface. Do not flood the surface. Wait approximately 30-45 minutes, and then go over the surface with a clean cotton terry cloth towel to wipe up the excess oil. 


You can apply a second and final coat this same day, or wait 24 hours to apply a second coat. Simply repeat the above process, but be especially careful after the second coat to wipe up excess oil. Any excess can harden on the surface, resulting in a sticky texture later. If you notice any particularly dry spots (especially around knots or other minor defects), you can add extra oil to those areas. 


Natural oils have a long cure time, but the surface itself should be dry to the touch within 24 hours after the final application. It is advisable to wait at least 2 days before using the countertop like normal. As soon as the oil is applied, the wood will start to repel water. Nevertheless, be careful to wipe up water or spills quickly. This is true for the lifetime of the countertop, but especially true in the first week or two after applying finish. 


How to Care For and Maintain Your Countertop


BeesBlock Oil and Concentrated Finishing Oil are both penetrating oil finishes, which means they will not form a film on any wood surface. This means two things – the finishes themselves are very easy to maintain with additional coats of oil, and there is never a risk of the oil separating from the wood and failing. Wear will reveal itself in the form of a drier surface. Scratches and dings will occur to the wood itself, so over a very long period of time you can choose to sand down and start afresh, if necessary.


Simply reapply a single coat of oil to the countertop to make them pop again. You can use very little oil when reapplying. The time between maintenance coats depends heavily on how much use the countertop receives. 

 

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