What is the best product to put on natural wood to protect them?
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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.