Asked on Apr 27, 2018
Can I stain a butcher block island top before I apply mineral oil?
by Alice
+3
I have food grade mineral oil, the butcher block style top is new, untreated in any way, pine. I want it to be dark, maybe mahogany or cherry, I have seen on this site ways to make stain from tea, steel wool soaked in??? Will these give me a dark stain? Thanks for your help!
6 answers
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![GrandmasHouseDIY]()
GrandmasHouseDIY
on Apr 27, 2018
Here's some information and recipes for natural stain! https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-wood-stain/ -
![Connie Hirchert Stadelmann]()
Connie Hirchert Stadelmann
on Apr 27, 2018
Yes -
![Johnavallance82]()
Johnavallance82
on Apr 27, 2018
Strong Tea - Coffee - Steel wool and Vinegar - Strain before use, but yes it will. Test it first on out of way place... -
![William]()
William
on Apr 27, 2018
Do not use mineral oil on stained surfaces. Not made for that. It's made to soak into raw wood and protect/seal the surface.You need to be careful on the stain you use and seal the surface. You want protection and also food safe. You also want a smooth blended color. Pine is very porous with tight and wide grains. Just staining it will come out blotchy with dark and light areas.Put a coat of Wood Conditioner on the butcher block according to the instructions on the can. Use Minwax found at Home Depot. The stain will go on much more evenly, and the grain blended in more with the rest of the wood.Seal with at least three coats of a water based polyurethane. Minwax polyurethane in the matte finish. Water-based polyurethane is really quite different from oil-based polyurethane. It looks streakier when it’s applied, and also appears milky white. It always dries without streaks, and completely clear. Doesn't yellow over time.The directions on the can said that sanding in between coats required. I don't want to cut into the stained wood with sandpaper. Use a green Scotch Brite kitchen scrubby (this is what I do). Gives the countertop a very smooth finish.After “sanding” each coat, wipe away all of the dust. Do not sand the last coat. -
![Alice]()
Alice
on Apr 27, 2018
Here's a video...![]()
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![Joy Elizabeth]()
Joy Elizabeth
on May 19, 2018
Dark Tung oil is a food safe option to seal and darken butcher block at the same time. Depending on the type of wood butcher block you start with, the final shade will vary. Ours were birch and they were naturally a pale shade. They are much darker after the tung oil.http://joyfullytreasured.com/sealing-butcher-block-dark-tung-oil
GrandmasHouseDIY
on Apr 27, 2018
Connie Hirchert Stadelmann
on Apr 27, 2018
Johnavallance82
on Apr 27, 2018
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