The Best Worktop Oil for a Durable and Beautiful Finish

Date: 31st January 2025
Categories: Barrettine, Products

The kitchen worktop endures more daily abuse than perhaps any other surface in the home. From knife marks and hot pans to coffee spills and food preparation, wooden worktops face constant challenges that can quickly make them look dull, tired and damaged.

For trade professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike, finding the right protection solution isn't just about aesthetics—it's about delivering lasting performance that stands up to real-world use.

In this guide, we'll explore why quality worktop oil is the best choice for protecting wooden surfaces, how Barrettine's Armourflex® Worktop Oil sets the standard for performance and safety, and the professional techniques that ensure a flawless finish.

Whether you're a trade professional working on a customer’s worktop or a property owner looking to maintain your kitchen, we’ll walk you through every step to protect wooden worktop with Barrettine Armourflex® Worktop Oil.

Why is it necessary to protect a worktop?

Wooden worktops are constantly exposed to challenging conditions. From scratches from pots and pans to food spills and daily wear, unprotected wood is vulnerable to a host of potential issues.

Everyday kitchen activities can leave untreated wooden surfaces looking worn and tired with scratches that accumulate over time. Additionally, unprotected wood can swell, warp if exposed to moisture, compromising the structural integrity of your worktop.

A particularly concerning issue for kitchens is that untreated wood can harbour bacteria in its porous surface. This poses a potential health risk for food preparation areas, where hygiene is paramount for safety.

Worktop oils: creating a protective surface

The right worktop oil creates a protective barrier that repels liquids, resists staining, and withstands the rigours of daily use while maintaining the wood's natural beauty. Unlike some finishes that simply sit on the surface, quality oils penetrate the wood to nourish it from within, bringing out the natural grain and colour while providing lasting protection. 

The benefits of Armourflex® Worktop Oil

The specialist coatings range “Armourflex®’ now includes a specific oil for kitchen worktops. We developed this innovative formula specifically to cope with the challenges faced by wooden worktops in busy homes.

This premium product offers numerous advantages that make it the ideal choice for both trade professionals and discerning homeowners.

Certified Food & Toy Safe

Safety is paramount for kitchen surfaces, which is why Armourflex® Worktop Oil is fully certified as Food & Toy Safe (when dry to EN 1186:2002 & EN71:3). This certification provides peace of mind that the surface is appropriate for kitchen worktops, dining tables, and any wooden surface that comes into contact with food or children.

Lasting protection

The advanced formulation of Armourflex® creates a tough, durable finish that effectively shields wood from spills, stains, and scratches that occur during everyday use. This exceptional resistance means your wooden surfaces maintain their beauty even in busy kitchens where accidents are inevitable.

Natural beauty

Unlike alternatives that can create an artificial appearance, Armourflex® Worktop Oil works with the natural properties of wood thanks to its natural oil and wax base. This formulation penetrates deeply to nourish and protect from within rather than simply coating the surface, resulting in a finish that highlights the wood's natural characteristics while providing robust protection.

Matt & satin finishes

Armourflex® Worktop Oil is available in both matt and satin options - this choice allows you to select the perfect finish to complement your project’s needs, whether you prefer the contemporary look of a matt finish or the subtle sheen of a satin surface.

4-hour drying time

Practical considerations are just as important as aesthetics, which is why Armourflex® features a quick drying time of just 4 hours under normal conditions.

Easy to spot repair

Life happens, and even protected surfaces may occasionally sustain minor damage. Armourflex® Worktop Oil excels in these situations because minor damage can be repaired without refinishing the entire surface. This spot-repair capability saves time and materials while ensuring your surfaces always look their best, even after years of use.

Preparation to apply a worktop oil

Achieving professional results with worktop oil begins with preparation. Taking the time to prepare correctly will significantly improve the final finish and longevity of the finish.

For newly installed worktops, it's essential to allow the wood to acclimatise to the room for several days before treatment. This period allows the wood to adjust to the ambient humidity and temperature of its new environment, with the moisture content ideally settling below 15%.

If you're treating previously finished surfaces, you must sand back thoroughly to bare wood to ensure proper oil penetration. Using 120-150 grit sandpaper, work methodically to achieve a smooth surface, always following the direction of the grain to avoid cross-grain scratches that might be visible in the final finish.

Thorough cleaning is essential before applying any oil. All dust, dirt, and grease must be completely removed. Stubborn resinous deposits should be carefully scraped away, and the surface degreased with methylated spirits to ensure a clean starting point for the oil application.

Before committing to treating the entire worktop, always test on a small, inconspicuous area or scrap piece of the same type of wood. This ensures compatibility with any wood dyes or fillers used previously and shows exactly how the finished result will look on your specific timber.

How to apply Armourflex® Worktop Oil

The application of Armourflex® Worktop Oil is straightforward, but attention to detail ensures the best results.

Good ventilation is crucial throughout both the application and drying process. Before beginning application, decant into a paint kettle/scuttle and stir the oil thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are properly mixed.

When applying the first coat, work with the direction of the wood grain and remember that less is more with quality oil products. Apply the oil sparingly—over-application won't improve protection but will extend drying time and potentially result in a sticky or uneven finish. A thin, even coat provides optimal penetration and the most attractive finish. To apply, use a short-pile roller, a brush or a lint-free cloth.

After applying the oil, allow it to penetrate for 10-15 minutes, giving the wood time to absorb the nourishing ingredients. Then, using a clean, lint-free cloth, carefully wipe off any excess oil.

Allow at least 4 hours of drying time under average conditions (23°C, 50% humidity), before applying a second coat, and ideally leave the surface overnight before using it.

For untreated wood, which is typically more absorbent, a second coat often provides additional protection and a more refined finish. Before applying this second coat, lightly sand the surface with fine grit sandpaper to remove any raised grain and create a smoother finish. Thoroughly remove all dust after sanding, then apply another thin coat following the same process as before.

It's always crucial to remember that cloths soaked in oil can self-combust under certain conditions. After use, thoroughly soak all application cloths in soapy water and lay them flat outdoors on a non-combustible surface to dry completely before disposal.

Protect your wooden surfaces with Barrettine

Choosing the right worktop oil makes all the difference in preserving the beauty and extending the life of wooden surfaces in busy kitchens and dining areas. The investment in quality protection pays dividends through years of service from your wooden worktops.

Barrettine's Armourflex® Worktop Oil offers professional-grade protection with the convenience of easy application, providing a durable, food-safe finish that brings out the natural colour and character of wood.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your project, please complete our online contact form, call us directly email sales@barrettine.co.uk .