You can apply varnish on top of oil, but the oil should not be fresh / wet. It might help to go over the surface with fine steel wool and mineral oil to prepare it.

How do you restore a wood worktop?

To really revive a wooden worktop I’d start by giving it a light sand. This is best done with an electric sander, but can also be tackled by hand if you’re feeling strong and have patience. Choose a coarse grade such as 80gsm and then go over again with a finer grade, for example, 120gsm.

What is the best varnish for wooden kitchen worktops?





What our experts think… For the best worktops, we prefer using acrylic varnish. In particular, we recommend using Spar varnish, which is used to protect items that are near the water like wooden boats, yachts, decks and beach chairs. If it’s good enough to keep water out of yachts, its perfect for kitchen worktops.

How do you remove old oil from wooden worktops?

To remove the sticky oil patch, wet a cloth with white spirits and, using a circular motion, wipe it over the worktop a small area at a time. This will dissolve the oil. Then simply polish the worktop with a polishing pad until the oil has been removed. These are the best ways to clean sticky wooden kitchen worktops.

How do you darken wooden worktops?

So, sand it right back, use a wood dye to get the colour you want (not quite as easy as it sounds) and then oil them (Linseed, or whatever is recommended for tops.) Then get some fancy glass and heat-proof cutting surfaces and place them where they’re required. And don;t cut anything directly on the top.

Can you varnish an oiled worktop?

Of course, all wooden surfaces do deteriorate slightly over time, but unlike oiled surfaces which can be lightly sanded and re-oiled to return the timber to its natural lustre, varnished surfaces would need to be fully stripped and refinished, which is both very time-consuming and extremely messy.

Is there a food grade varnish?





Shellac, derived from Indian lac bugs, is a common food-safe film finish. It is highly water-resistant. Available in different hues, shellac is sold in liquid form or in flakes that must be dissolved in ethanol before application. (The ethanol evaporates during the curing process.)

Is clear varnish Food Safe?

According to finishing expert Bob Flexner, all finishes are food-safe once they have cured. Polyurethane varnish does not present any known hazard.

How do you waterproof wood and food safely?

9 Best Food Safe Wood Finishes

  1. Shellac. This is a surface sealing, natural finish that comes from the Lac bug. …
  2. Pure Tung Oil. This is one of the few popular “Drying Oils” (I’ll explain what that means below). …
  3. Food Grade Beeswax. …
  4. Carnauba Wax. …
  5. Food Grade Mineral Oil. …
  6. Walnut Oil. …
  7. Raw Linseed Oil. …
  8. Paraffin Wax.

How do you treat wood for food safe?

Food Safe Finishes for Wooden Bowls and Wood Cutting Boards

  1. Pure tung oil. Extracted from the nut of the china wood tree. …
  2. Raw linseed oil. Pressed from flax seeds. …
  3. Mineral oil. Although derived from petroleum, it is colorless, odorless, tasteless and entirely inert. …
  4. Walnut oil. …
  5. Beeswax. …
  6. Carnauba wax. …
  7. Shellac. …
  8. Nothing.


Is there a food safe wood stain?

Shellac is a food safe wood stain made from a resin secreted from the female lac bug and ethanol. It is available in a clear or amber tint. Shellac brings out the rich warmth of wood grain making surfaces look soft and natural instead of plastic.

Is Danish oil safe for food surfaces?

Original Danish Oil formula. Non-toxic and food safe. Dries to a natural, low lustre finish.

How do you seal wood naturally?



Linseed, tung, refined hemp, soy, and walnut oil are all-natural oils that on their own can be used to seal and protect wood. They are called drying oils. Drying oils penetrate, harden and preserve wood – providing a long-lasting finish that does not turn rancid.

Does varnish seal wood?

METHOD 2: Use sealants for best protection

Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties. They’re either brushed or sprayed onto clean, sanded wood and then allowed to dry completely, prior to the piece being lightly re-sanded and recoated.

What can I use instead of wood varnish?

Linseed oil is another commonly used natural alternative to polyurethane. People use linseed oil to treat their wood. It can help it to look better while also increasing the overall durability of the wood. This is a non-toxic product that you will be able to use without hesitation.