How to Recoat Timber Benchtops
Recoating a kitchen timber benchtop is so much easier than you’d think, and has a lot of great benefits. It provides heat, chemical, and stain resistance, while being food-safe when properly cured.
You’ll need:
You may also need:
Preparation
If you have brand new, bare timber, sand the surface following the direction of the grain using 180-240 grit sandpaper and remove all traces of dust.
If you have previously coated timber or your timber has visible scratches, sand back using 180-240 grit sandpaper and remove all traces of dust. Use a mineral turpentine to remove any stubborn stains or marks. Clean the surface well with Cabot’s Floor Clean and let dry. On a small inconspicuous test area, apply a test-coat of Cabot’s Benchtop Clear Timber Finish and allow to dry for 24 hours. Apply a piece of tape to the surface and pull off quickly. If the coating comes off onto the tape, you’ll need to sand back and repeat the above steps until the coating sticks to the timber.
If you have any holes or gaps, don’t fill them yet. Do this after the first coat of Cabot’s Benchtop Clear Timber Finish has been applied. This will help get a better colour match.
Application
If you want to stain your benchtop, apply one coat of the stain or stain & varnish to sanded and prepped timber then follow on with the below steps.
Do not shake the can of Cabot’s Benchtop Clear Timber Finish, instead, stir well with a flat blade stirrer using an up and down scooping motion before and during use. Shaking the can will create air bubbles in the coating which will prevent a smooth finish. Grab a short nap roller, brush or spray gun and apply the coating following the direction of the grain. If you choose to use a spray gun, back-brush in the direction of the grain for the best result.
Dry time
Allow to dry for at least 2 hours. Now you can fill any cracks, holes or other deep-set markings using a wood-tone putty.
It is recommended you lightly sand the benchtop to remove any grain rise that may have occurred. Do this with a 240-grit sand paper. Ensure you remove all dust before applying any more coats.
Apply 2-3 coats total sanding lightly between each coat.
Marvel at your handiwork
Grab your favourite cool beverage and a chair, sit back and marvel at your handiwork. Maybe even snap a few pics for Instagram? Don’t forget to tag @insppaint!