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ButcherBlock Finish

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49 views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Marpel1956  
M
#1 ·
Recently picked up an Acacia ButcherBlock counter top for a side cabinet. The intent of the cabinet (and top) is to keep various kitchen appliances/stuff and will not be used to prep vegetables (so, presumably the top will have appliances etc scraped across as they are moved for use). The top was inside a cardboard box, with a placard inside which provides various details, including cutting/securing/finishing. Unfortunately, this placard was not accessible at purchase. The label on the box stated the product was unfinished, as reiterated by staff. It was my intention to finish the top with some hard surface polyurethane or similar to mitigate any wear/scratches.
However, I now find the placard states in large letters "Unfinished", but then is immediately followed by "This product is pre-finished with refined high quality Hardware oil..." and then describes a finishing process (prior to install) of multiple coats of Hardware oil. I should also mention the top has been cut to size, so not returnable (if that is even an issue).
So, my questions - I know pretty well nothing about finishes/compatibility - How do I actually determine if the top has been pre-finished? Cutting shows no evidence either way. If it has been pre-finished as described, can poly be applied on top, with no compatibility issues? If it has been pre-finished and further coats are applied, is that finish oily to the touch and will it affect items like paper etc laid on top? Any advice is welcome.
Marv
 
M
#3 ·
jwoodcraft,
Thanks very much for replying....and it was only when I read your reply that I realized that it was supposed to be Hard wax but I just discovered that every time I try to put those two words into a single word auto correct changes wax to ware. So you are correct, I have never heard of Hardware oil either. And I am unclear by what you mean by "test on the backside". If you mean apply some poly type coating, won't that take a while (days/weeks) before it would "loosen" or flake off? Or would it be obvious fairly quickly?
 
#4 ·
I won’t presume to speak for J, but I think I’d have the same thought of testing a bit of whatever you intend to use on a spot that will likely be hidden. If it’s SUPER incompatible with the initial “pre finish”, that may be visible immediately in that it might bead up and refuse to form a proper coat. Or within a day or two you might see red flags such as color change (like a cloudy or white look, bubbling, blistering, dimples, etc) or it might feel like it’s getting sticky instead of drying.
 
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