How to smoothen a cutting board

[sefnfot]

So I purchased a cutting board from the hardware store; the kind that slide into the cabinet. It is unfinished wood. What do I use to make the top smooth like the prefrabricated ones that have the smooth plasticy feel to it?

I assumed I could use multi coats or Polyurithane, but I was told that it isn't food grade (FDA).

Hastings Plastics Company in Santa Monica, CA also said they didnt have any resins or epoxy for this purpose.

So How Do I get the Cutting board to have a smooth top?

[sefnfot]

Salad Bowl Finish - Rockler Woodworking Tools (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5344)

General Finishes Salad Bowl Finishes

Create a beautiful and safe finish on wooden bowls, cups, spoons, countertops and butcher blocks or any wood surface that contacts food. Easy to apply- just wipe on with a soft clean rag. Achieves the sheen and resistance of a varnish. Dried film is non-toxic for food contact 72 hours after drying. Additional coats can be re-applied at any time if maintenance of item becomes necessary.

[Cruzi]

Its a building finish, any finish that builds is not suitable for cutting boards, the use and action of knives means the building finish will end up in your food, meaning the metal based, usually lead, drying agents will become part of your diet. Lead is a cumulative poison, meaning your body cannot get rid of it and it builds up forever.
Building finishes include tung oil, organoil, boiled linseed oil, danish oil and the salad bowl finish above.
Cooking oils like olive oil and vegetable oil can go rancid and cause health problems.

Use a non-drying oil like mineral oil (paraffin oil in Australia).
For butchers blocks paraffin wax can be used, usually poured on hot and then scraped smooth.

[acousticjase88]

Cruzi, where can you get this paraffin oil in australia? any main companies selling it you know of?...i plan on making many chopping boards soon and previous ones have simply had vegetable oil rubbed in, which hasnt caused an issues before but would wanna use the best thing from now on..Cheers

[Master Splinter]

The big green shed has paraffin - on the shelves near the thinners, turps, metho and so on. $9ish for 500ml.

If you need lots without paying lots for it, try a vet that works with large animals or horse stuff supplier (http://www.horsesuppliesdirect.com.au/category16_1.htm), its about $45 for 5 litres.

[Chief Tiff]

Baby oil works as well. It is classed as food grade because babies have this annoying habit of putting anything and everything into their mouths.

[Honorary Bloke]

Baby oil is generally only paraffin oil with scents added. Works OK but often smells a bit like junior's new nappy. :D

I use two coats of mineral (paraffin) oil alone, waiting 12-24 hours between coats. Then two coats of beeswax and oil mixed (ratio 1 to 3 wax to oil), then buff out.

Works a treat. :)

[Cruzi]

Your local chemist usually stocks high grade paraffin oil, I believe the forum dictator also has a version.

[acousticjase88]

cheers guys! will scope it out! might sand back a few i have lying around and re-coat with paraffin...

[Christos]

Baby oil is generally only paraffin oil with scents added. Works OK but often smells a bit like junior's new nappy. :D


Sorry I could not resist but do you not mean the old nappy. :U

[The Bleeder]

Sorry I could not resist but do you not mean the old nappy. :U

No, old ones smell entirely different....:o