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Wood Worker Question

cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,601 ✭✭✭✭

I just ordered a 30" x 60" butcher block bench top. It has an oil rubbed finish. Can I stain this with minwax oil based stain or do I need to somehow remove the current oil finish? I plan on spraying it with clear lacquer after.

Thanks folks,

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Comments

  • khornetkhornet Member Posts: 117 ✭✭

    The best thing is to test it on the back side and see what it looks like. The finish now is probably mineral oil so it is safe for food. It would be hard to sand it off because it soaks in something past the surface.

  • love2shootlove2shoot Member Posts: 576 ✭✭✭

    Are you going to prep food on it or????

  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,381 ******

    It will depend somewhat on the oil that was used. Some oils will accept the colorant and others will not. It will also depend a bit on the age of the oil. Your best bet will be to sand it off to bare wood, stain, and apply the lacquer.

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  • Toolman286Toolman286 Member Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭

    For food prep surfaces I use mineral oil. Multiple coats should darken the wood.

  • Butchdog2Butchdog2 Member Posts: 3,834 ✭✭✭✭

    Best to use only food grade oils on anything used as a butcher block.

    Workbench top, stain should penetrate an oil finish AOK.

    If it is going to be used for something besides a food chopping block, have at it with anything you like.

  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,601 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2021

    I should have been more clear (once again). By butcher block I was just referring to the type of construction. I will be using this as a assembly bench/desk. I know that I can spray clear lacquer over oil based minwax as I've done this many times when I was restoring Gerstner tool chests. I've never worked on anything that already had an oil finish.

    Nothing is easy anymore for Jeff.

    😕

    It's too late for me, save yourself.
  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2021

    You need to take it to bare wood and then stain with an alcohol based stain. Any oil based stain or finish will become a major sticky mess as soon as you lay down lacquer.


    Just read your last.

    Most curious, as I've cleaned up many a stock someone tried spraying with clear lacquer.

  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,601 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2021

    Right, I'm concerned about the depth of oil penetration. I doubt if I could sand that out. Hard telling how old the finish is. I bought this new from Grainger in Indy but it could have been made & finished a year ago. Penetration of the minwax could be minimal. I can understand a sticky mess if the stocks if they were recently oiled. My Gerstner boxes didn't have a oil finish from the factory and when I stained, wiped, and waited a day or so they accepted the lacquer with no problem. Maybe I'll just forget the whole thing and leave it natural maple w/ the oil. I might try to stain a little bit on what I plan on using as the bottom side. Just to see what happens.

    Thanks for the replies guys,

    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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