Hello, and welcome back to my blog.
I've always loved the natural look and warmth of butcher block countertops. So when our middle son offered to help my husband and I replace our old laminate countertops with butcher block this Spring, we couldn't refuse! He also helped us install a new single-basin stainless steel sink, faucet, and wood backsplash. He was a big help to us that week, and we couldn't have done it without him, or our youngest son, who hauled the heavy 10 foot counters by skiff last winter, from the City dock to our house on the beach.
We ordered the unfinished countertops online from Home Depot. The instructions that came with the countertops advised sealing them on both sides with 4 coats of butcher block oil, or other food-safe sealant, before installing. We used Howard Butcher Block Conditioner for this step. We thought the butcher block conditioner (a mixture of mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax), would darken up the maple wood. It did, but only slightly . . .
They were pretty, but too light. We really wanted darker countertops that would blend in with the existing wood tones we had in our kitchen. So, we decided to go ahead and finish the other elements of the project, including cutting the hole for the sink while we had our son's help, and worry about the counter color later. At least they were sealed, and now we could use them.
So after a few weeks of online research, my husband and I decided to add food-safe Real Milk Paint Dark Tung Oil to the Howard Butcher Block Conditioner to darken the countertops. We mixed a ratio of 25% dark tung oil to 75% butcher block conditioner. Then we applied 3 coats of this mixture onto the countertops, letting each coat soak in, then buffing off the excess, with a soft, dry cloth . . .
Much better! They're still light, but the warmer tones of the wood grain have been brought out, blending in better with our heart pine wood floors, oak cabinets, and adjacent livingroom . . .
Water and liquid beads up on the matte-finish surface, which has made dish soap and water clean-up simple. For maintenance, we plan on wiping our butcher block conditioner mixture onto the countertops every month or so, to keep the wood protected, and from drying out.
Let me know if you have any comments or questions. I'd love to hear from you!
Kim