Stain and oil or stain and varnish on a kitchen bench

[ghowe]

A while ago I asked for some help as a complete amateur about fixing up a kitchen benchtop. It had been stained and varnished to a baltic colour. I've no intention (particularly after stripping and sanding back the top) of doing anything to the cupboards. The top has finally sanded back nicely - it's apparently Cyprus Pine and is recycled floor boards. I was going to stain and varnish the top to match as closely as possible the cupboards. However, someone suggested today that I use oil. A brief google and it seems like a good idea. I still want to keep it close to the cupboard colour and so was wondering if anyone could advise how to go about it.

What sort of stain - oil, water, spirit?
What sort of oil - I've read about Tung which seems to be the go but would welcome advice?
Do I need to do any extra preparation besides the final sanding?
And exactly what steps do I need to take to finished product?

I'm doing the house up for sale and I really don't want to leave the new owner with a headache.

Any assistance would be welcome!

[LGS]

Hi ghowe,

Tung oil is a good choice. Easy to apply, water and radiant heat resistant, needs no further finish if done right. Reasonably cheap.
Have a look here for a run down on the method. I recommend you use Liberon Pure Tung Oil, diluted 1:1 with either White Spirits or Citrus Terpene (Organoil product sold at Carbatec.) The Tung Oil is about $35.00 for 500 ml but since you dilute it down it works out at about $35.00 a litre. You can get Liberon oil at Carbatec also. Use a ROS to sand and take the grit up to at least 1500 if you can. You will notice the difference. And no headache for the new owner.
A look at my website will show you the results, as most items are either Tung oiled or Teak oil and wax finish

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rob

[ghowe]

Hi ghowe,

Tung oil is a good choice. Easy to apply, water and radiant heat resistant, needs no further finish if done right. Reasonably cheap.
Have a look here for a run down on the method. I recommend you use Liberon Pure Tung Oil, diluted 1:1 with either White Spirits or Citrus Terpene (Organoil product sold at Carbatec.) The Tung Oil is about $35.00 for 500 ml but since you dilute it down it works out at about $35.00 a litre. You can get Liberon oil at Carbatec also. Use a ROS to sand and take the grit up to at least 1500 if you can. You will notice the difference. And no headache for the new owner.
A look at my website will show you the results, as most items are either Tung oiled or Teak oil and wax finish

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rob

Thanks for that info. Have you used stains under it at all? I do need to bring it up to a similar colour to the cupboards and I'm wondering whether oil, water or spirit stains are best and if I need to apply anything to the bare timber first?

[LGS]

Hi again,

I'm sorry, but I haven't used stains under oil before. My feeling is that so long as the stain was dry, you should have no problems with any of them, but hopefully someone with more staining experience can help.

Regards,

Rob

[ghowe]

I've just spoken to someone at Feast & Watson and he said that adding stain to their Kitchen Timber Oil (Tung Oil) made it no longer food safe. Has anyone got any info on that?

[LGS]

Hi again,
I suggest you get a second and third opinion on that. I have found in the past that some people know more than others in these matters. Call Liberon about their Tung Oil and Organoil regarding their Hard Burnishing Oil. Both these companies will give you the "good oil" so to speak. The guy at Organoil may be able to help you with which stain to use.

Regards,

Rob

[ghowe]

Hi again,
I suggest you get a second and third opinion on that. I have found in the past that some people know more than others in these matters. Call Liberon about their Tung Oil and Organoil regarding their Hard Burnishing Oil. Both these companies will give you the "good oil" so to speak. The guy at Organoil may be able to help you with which stain to use.

Regards,

Rob

Thanks for your help, Rob. Will get on to it!

[ghowe]

Thanks for your help, Rob. Will get on to it!

I don't know if you are still following this thead, Rob, but thank you for your advice. I discovered after the first coat of Tung Oil that it brought out such a rich colour in the Cypress Pine that it didn't need any stain added to co-ordinate with the baltic colour of the cupboards. I'm absolutely amazed by the colour and tones.
However, my husband has suggested that the finish could be "glossier". I have read a bit about Carnauba Wax - is this suitable for kitchen benchtops in your experience (or anyone else's who might be reading this) bearing in mind they get as much wear as a high-traffic floor, radiant heat from the stove top and splashing from the sink...

[LGS]

Hi Ghowe,

Glad it worked out well. You can "glossy" up the finish by sanding the oil while it is wet. You can do this either by hand or using a Random Orbital Sander. Soak the bench in Tung oil and start sanding at 400 grit, then work up (800,1200) to 1500 grit. If you can get some 2000 grit, all the better. It shouldn't take too much effort even hand sanding. A dry slurry will develop and this is normal Wipe it off at the end. About 20 up and back "sandings" should do you Then wipe down the bench with a dry cotton cloth. The bench should feel dry and should have a nice glossy finish. Give the Tung Oil 48 hours and it'll be as food safe as it can be. Tung oil is satin by nature, but this will bring up a shine.

Regards,

Rob