How to Oil a Worktop Like a Pro: Techniques for Perfect Results
Date: 2nd January 2025
Categories: Barrettine, Products
Whether you’re a trade professional or a DIY enthusiast, when oiling a wooden worktop, you want a professional result.
Achieving a beautiful, long-lasting finish on your wooden worktop requires both the right products and proper application techniques. With over 145 years of experience in woodcare, we at Barrettine understand what it takes to protect and maintain wooden surfaces.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll share our professional expertise to help you achieve outstanding results when oiling your worktop.
Choosing the right oil for your worktop
The most important factor in learning how to oil a worktop is selecting the appropriate oil. Traditional options like basic linseed oil have served well historically, but may not offer the protection needed for a worktop in a high traffic area like a kitchen.
Luckily, modern formulas offer significantly superior protection, shielding surfaces from the wear and tear of everyday life.
When selecting a worktop oil, several crucial features should influence your decision. The oil must provide excellent water and stain resistance to protect against spills and accidents. Durability is essential - your chosen oil should create a robust protective layer that withstands frequent use, scratches, scuffs and cleaning. The oil that you choose should also be microporous, allowing the wood to breathe while simultaneously highlighting the natural beauty of the wood grain.
For wooden worktops in kitchens, a food safe certification isn't just desirable - it's absolutely essential. Furthermore, the ideal oil should create a smooth finish that's simple to maintain and touch up when needed.
With so many considerations at play, it may seem like a challenge to find the right worktop oil, but at Barrettine we’ve poured all of our resources into creating a premium formula that ticks every single box.
Why choose Armourflex® Hardwax Oil?
At Barrettine, our Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is a premium surface protection product made up of natural oils. This specialist formulation combines natural soya oils, linseed oil from flax, and carnauba wax.
The result is a beautiful, breathable finish that won’t crack, peel, flake or blister – even in demanding environments like busy kitchens.
Developed to meet the highest of standards, Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is certified Food & Toy Safe when dry to EN 1186:2002 & EN71:3 standards, making it perfect for family homes.
Better still, our Hard Wax Oil’s exceptional scratch resistance makes it ideal for worktops that face daily use, while the natural and elegant finish (with both matt and satin finish options available) brings out the beauty of the wood’s colour and grain while providing professional protection.
Step-by-step application guide
For those looking or a truly professional finish, proper preparation is crucial.
Begin by ensuring your wooden worktop is completely clean and in good condition.
Any previous coatings must be fully sanded back to bare wood to allow the Hard Wax oil to adhere properly.
Use 120-150 grit sandpaper to sand the entire surface, always working in the direction of the wood grain. Remove all dust thoroughly using a vacuum followed by a tack cloth. The moisture content of the wood should be below 15%.
If you're working with new wood, allow it to acclimatise in the room for several days before treatment.
Before starting work on the surface, test the oil on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure you're happy with the finish and absorption rate.
Application process for a wood worktop
Before beginning, stir the oil thoroughly - this is essential to ensure all ingredients are properly mixed.
Apply a thin coat using either a lint-free cloth, short-pile roller, or high-quality brush, taking care not to apply too much at once.
Work methodically in small sections, always following the direction of the wood grain. After application use a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any excess oil that hasn't been absorbed. This step is crucial - excess oil left on the surface can result in an uneven, sticky finish. Allow 4 hours drying time under normal conditions (approximately 23°C with roughly 50% humidity), but ideally the surface should be left overnight to dry.
Second Coat application
Once the first coat is completely dry, assess whether a second coat is needed. If required, begin with a light sanding using 240-grit sandpaper to ensure a perfectly smooth surface - again, remember to sand in the direction of the grain. Remove all dust thoroughly.
Apply the second coat following the same method as the first, but use even less product - remember, thin coats are key to a professional finish and again remove any excess oil that hasn't been absorbed with a lint-free cloth. Allow the surface to dry overnight before use.
Can Armourflex® Hardwax Oil be used on other surfaces besides worktops?
Armourflex® Hardwax Oil isn't limited to just worktops - it's perfect for protecting and beautifying all interior wooden surfaces. From wooden floors and staircases to dining tables and furniture, its durable, food-safe formula provides exceptional protection whilst enhancing the natural beauty of any wooden surface.
How to oil a worktop: professional tips for best results
Achieving professional results requires attention to detail and careful technique. Apply the oil in thin, even coats - this is absolutely crucial as thick applications can lead to a substandard finish.
Always work in the direction of the grain of the wood to bring out the natural beauty of the timber.
Never leave excess oil on the surface as it won't cure properly and will result in a sticky finish. Pay particular attention to end grain areas, which may require additional thin coats due to higher absorption.
Safety is paramount when working with oils. All oil-soaked cloths must be disposed of correctly as they can self-combust. After use, soak them in water, then lay them flat outside on a non-combustible surface to dry before disposal.
Regular maintenance
To preserve the beauty of your solid wood worktop it's important to continue to care for your worktop. Clean spills immediately using cloth - standing water left for a long time will damage wooden surfaces even if they are protected.
Use coasters under hot items to prevent heat damage. Avoid harsh cleaning products that could break down the oil finish - stick to products specifically designed for oiled wood surfaces.
Surface damage, if minimal, can be easily spot repaired using Armourflex® Hardwax Oil. However, if the surface is showing significant signs of wear, a full recoat of the entire surface should be considered.
Armourflex® Hardwax Oil: the perfect finishing touch
For those looking to find out how to oil a worktop, creating a professional-quality finish requires patience, attention to detail, and the right products.
With Barrettine's Armourflex® Hardwax Oil and these professional techniques, you can create a beautiful, durable finish that will protect and bring out the natural beauty of a wooden worktop for years to come.
Barrettine's products, including Armourflex® Hardwax Oil, are available from a range of trusted stockists. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
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