oiled worktop got sticky recently - need advice

[wiciu]

Hi


I have wooden breakfast bar as part of my kitchen island. I had it for 3 years and I was using Liberon Finishing Oil to finish it since it was installed and was very happy with it. Initially I used it about 3 times few weeks apart and after that once every 6-12 months.


I have noticed over last few months that surface in some areas of worktop got softer and sticky. It is where worktop is used most. there are areas which have stuff constantly lying , more away from hands, those areas are fine - surface is still shiny and hard. Its were we eat meal and constantly wipe it - this is where it got sticky. E.g. If I try to scratch surface with my fingernails the good parts won't scratch , the soft ones will visibly scratch.


Would the issue be because it is wiped every day? I am assuming this because the areas which are in good condition are not wiped as often. I have started using recently spray on standard kitchen surface cleaner so I am suspecting chemicals in the spray could have caused this. Or is it just from wiping surface with damp cloth too often? How should I be cleaning oiled worktop to avoid this.


More importantly, how to resolve current issue with sticky surface ? I have re-oiled worktop 3 weeks ago and haven't used spray on cleaner since then just damp cloth but wipe it much less frequent but the surface is still sticky.


Should I use white spirit to try remove sticky layer ? Sanding is not working too good as the surface is not hard enough.


Looking forward to get some expert advice.


Thanks,


WO

[ubeaut]

Ever been to a cafe, etc with wooden tables only to find the finished surface sticky and the finish with an almost rubbery or punky feel. Where you can often scrape some of the surface off with a fingernail.

Chances are the finish was either polyurethane or an oiled finish. If you watch the attendants after a table is cleared they will squirt a surface cleaner on the table and roughly wipe it down

Yep there's the problem...... Surface cleaners and oils or poly over time just don't mix and will turn to goop.

We had a Melbourne Shop fitter use our Hard Shellac on the tables chairs and other wooden fittings for a restaurants in the first "My Restaurant Rules" TV series. This was some 17 years ago, and the last I hear a couple of years ago, the finish was as good then as when it was first put on all those years ago and yes I'm guessing they clean them down the same way with the same spray etc that they all use.

The people who made and finished these tables still buy 2 to 3 x 25 litre drums from us each year Mostly for table and bench tops and they swear by it.

Not sure how to resolve the problem other than stripping the entire top and starting from scratch, hmmm.... bad choice of words.

I doubt washing it down with turps / white spirits would help too much as the whole surface could well be affected by it. Not even sure if the Libron Oil is strippable but if you go down that road I would suggest buying a small tin of the cheapest, nastiest, paint stripper you can find. DON'T BUY THE ECO FRIENDLY stuff it'll take way longer and you'll probably need to see a shrink after using it. Buy the stuff with the danger warnings all over the tin, warning that it will burn your skin on contact, etc. If that doesn't work you can just about bet your life on the eco stuff not having a hope in hell of working. Take note of the safety precautions, wear gloves, eye protection cruddy old cloths, etc. Trying it out in an inconspicuous section if you have one.

Wash it down with copious amounts of metho when you have stripped it then warm soapy water and start again from scratch with sanding and polishing.

Sorry for the delayed response and the not so good news, but sometimes ya just gotta bite the bullet.

Hope this has been of some little help to you.

Cheers - Neil

Apologies for the blatant Hard Shellac plug, I just couldn't help myself.

[China]

Hard Shellac, I really have to try this stuff

[Mobyturns]

Yep, well meaning people do horrible things to wood & wood finishes.

[wiciu]

Hi @ubeaut apologies for slow response myself.
I was afraid you will say that its not easy fix. Im really not too keen on stripping thing. Last time i used paint stripper it was total disaster. I dont want to destroy that worktop, i like it too much. Would lite sanding and refinishing with more oil be an option? I did say its not sanding well but i prefer to try that than paint stripper brrrr.
Also what should be oiled worktop cleaned with from all those greasy fingers if not standard kitchen surface cleaner?
Thanks for all you advice .