The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Butcher block countertopsare beautiful, durable, and natural.
One positive ofbutcher block countersis that they are easy to refinish.
Sealing the butcher block protects the porouswood surfacefrom water and food.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Learn how to seal a butcher block countertop withpolyurethane or with oil.
When using a metal scraper, avoid gouging the surface.
Sand the Surface
Sand thebutcher block countertopin the direction of the grain with an electric oscillating sander.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Begin with the coarse 120-grit sanding disc, then progress to 220-grit and 300-grit papers for a smooth finish.
Clean With the Tack Cloth
Clean the butcher blocktop surface and edges with the tack cloth.
Clean the Surface
Clean the butcher block with denatured alcohol or paint thinner and a microfiber towel.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Wear breathing protection and waterproof gloves.
Polyurethane is water-resistant and long-lasting with careful use.
Use cutting boards and avoid cutting directly on a polyurethane finish.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Apply the First Coat
Brush polyurethane coating on the butcher block.
Work rapidly to blend edges with each other.
Wear a hair covering.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Hairs are difficult to remove from oil-based polyurethane, especially after the coating has hardened.
Warning
Work only in a well-ventilated area.
Be careful of drips.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Allow the Coating to Dry
Wait four to six hours for the sealer to completely dry.
Apply the Second Coat
Apply the second coat of polyurethane to the butcher block.
This coat will soak in less than the first coat.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Clean the Tools
Clean the tools withmineral spirits.
Wait at least six hours before using the countertop.
Frequent reapplications are needed to maintain the water resistance.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Add the oil to amicrofiber cloth, then rub across the butcher block surface and edges.
Wipe the Excess
Wipe off any excess oil pooled on the surface with another clean towel.
Let the Coat Dry
Let the oil dry for about six hours.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Scuff the Surface
Lightly scuff the surface with 400-grit sandpaper.
Clean the surface with a clean microfiber towel.
Too much oil will cake up on the surface.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Clean Up
Clean up with mineral spirits.
The best sealer for butcher block countertops is either polyurethane or oil.
Mineral or tung oil soak into the wood, rather than sitting on top.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Oil gives the wood a natural look.
Butcher block countertops cannot be permanently sealed.
Whether the sealant is polyurethane or oil, refinishing will later be required.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
But polyurethane is permanent in the sense that reapplication is only required when the surface is damaged.
Mineral oil must be reapplied every month or two, even if the surface is not damaged.
Two coats of oil-based polyurethane sealer are required on butcher block countertops.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Two to six coats of mineral or tung oil sealer are required on butcher block counters.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
