What is the best product to put on natural wood to protect them?
We are sanding our cabinets in our kitchen to the natural wood, what is the best product to put on them to protect them ?
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Hi Margaret. If you are sanding them down to the wood you can protect them using a water based polycrylic or I love plain Hemp OIl. Miss Mustard Seed's Milk paint makes a great one and you just rub it on the wood. It will nourish the wood while protecting it.
a clear varnish works fine.
Poly
There are a lot of finishes available but I strongly recommend polyurethane over wax or oil finishes of any kind. I've had the best results (and I know I won't have to redo the finish after a couple of years of wear---or a few months in some cases). A polyurethane finish protects cabinets from stains and water damage. It comes in matte, satin or high gloss sheens---choose the sheen you like best. Typically I use water base polyurethane because it is odor-friendly, it doesn't require careful ventilation, and clean-up is easy. Apply 3 coats. The first coat seals the wood. The second coat is for finish and protection. The third coat is added protection (water-base poly isn't quite as durable as oil base so add the 3rd coat especially on kitchen cabinets) and this last coat creates a more professional finish. Sand lightly between coats and make sure every speck of dust/residue/moisture is off the surfaces before you apply the poly.
Good luck!
At least 4 coats of polyurethane!
Remember to sand lightly between the polyurethane coats. It can yellow the wood a bit so you may want to try poly acrylic. That is what I used 10 years ago and cabinets still look good.