Submitted by Laurenhynde82 t3_10o5vqg in DIY
Trying to treat our kitchen worktops which are butcher block. Some areas are more worn due to higher traffic but haven’t had any issues even in those areas until now.
Have come to the area next to the sink and followed instructions - used the specialist cleaner (scrubbing in direction of grain where needed). Used a denibbing pad, and sanded more in areas that were more marked or uneven. Used a lint free cloth to remove dust then applied oil in direction of grain. This is exactly what I’ve done on the other worktops which no issue.
However, some patches seem to be resisting the oil - at least that’s how it looks on the light. Maybe they are taking oil but it needs a lot more coats.
If anyone has experience and can offer any advice, I’d really appreciate it - not sure if it’s a cleaning issue, needs more sanding (worried the sanding might have caused it though?) or will improve in more coats.
Any suggestions gratefully received!
ETA in case anyone else ever comes across this issue and finds this post. It did improve after a bit more work with the denibbing pad and a few more coats. The colour is still lighter than around the ages which haven’t had any wear. I wonder if the people who put it in originally used a darker coloured oil maybe? Either way, it looks much better after a few coats :)
7LeagueBoots t1_j6crx0y wrote
You have any photos?
If they're used butcherblocks it may simply be that some areas have retained oil from previous oilings and are at capacity. Or those specific pieces are of a much more dense grain.
It it were boards I'd suggest that maybe some areas have sap in them (or something similar), but for butcherblock that's already been used that's not going to be the case.
If you're really worried soak a paper towel in the oil you're using and lay it over the area in question (flat, don't ball it up). This will give an extended period of contact for oil to soak in.
I have cutting boards where some areas drink oil like an alcoholic denied booze for two weeks, and other areas directly adjacent let it run off like water from a duck's back, all due to grain structure and orientation.