Im currently working on some trim in this womans house and she asked me if i would take a look at her counter top. Its a michigan maple butcher block style island (9’x7.5′) with two support posts running up through it to the ceiling. Well she set some copper pots filled with flowers and water and it had some type of aluminum foil around the copper pots. When she returned home that evening ther wher black stains left behind which im assuming was from electrolisis or something. I would like to help her out with it but i dont have much knowledge on how to go about re-finishing the top. I want to try and keep my belt sander as far away as possible. 🙂 how can i acheive a factory finish? I have ordered a product which she tells me the factory uses on their blocks its called ” THE GOOD STUFF”. One good thing is that it isnt vary glossy at all so scatches wont show to much. Just how do i go about sanding a perfectly flat surface?
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Replies
You can probably remove the black stains with oxalic acid. Paint stores carry it. The dust is toxic.
You may not need to do any sanding. Is the existing finish on the surface or in the surface? An in the surface finish, like oil, is easy to refinish - just add more. If it is an on the surface finish, like poly, you may have to strip the old finish first. Try not to sand - sanding will remove all of the patina.
pro
I understand you not wanting to get the belt sander out so why not use card scrapers to clean down the top.
Sanders usually don't work to well on butcher blocks because of the oil that has been used on them.
Depending on the size a scraper can take down a top to a nice smooth surface in relatively little time, and the oil wont clog anything up for you.
Doug
learn how to sharpen and use a scraper. ( wait - is this an end grain BB or narrow planks?)
Definitely no belt sander, you'll spend a lot more time flattening things again.
You can use an orbital if you keep it moving.
Explain to her that there are two ways to finish BBtops. One is the old natural way of just oiling it every month. That will let it stain every time she lets it stay wet. Or she can have you apply polyurethene. that will build a protective film.
In between is a product called Salad Bowl finish which is a sort of polymerized oil that builds with several coats rubbed in/on. It is safe for around food and is half decent at protecting the wood.
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Can you flip it over? Then perhaps use a plug cutter for filling in holes from the previous fasteners?
Some BB material I've seen has a serious "B-grade" side, while others looked equally nice on both sides.
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