Step 1: preparation
There isn't much to treating a wooden kitchen countertop. Let's start at the beginning. Before you effectively start refurbishing, it's important to make sure the worktop is clean, and also properly degreased. To do this, you can simply clean with, for example, Berdy Clearline Degreaser dissolved in water, and a soft cloth or sponge.
It may also be that your kitchen worktop has already been through a bit and is in need of some repair work. If you want to treat it with oil and varnish, it's best to use Polyfilla Kneadable Wood to fill any small holes, cracks etc.
You can then lightly sand the wooden countertop with fine sandpaper (180-220 grit). This will make the surface smooth and ready for further treatment. Make sure you sand in the direction of the wood grain.
Step 2: treatment with oil or varnish
Oil
To protect your wooden worktop, you can treat it with a special oil, such as Xyladecor Worktop Oil or V33 Worktop Oil. Apply the oil evenly to the wooden kitchen worktop with a soft cloth or a flat paintbrush.
Let the oil soak as longs as indicated on the packaging. Afterwards, you can wipe off the excess oil with a clean cloth. If necessary, you can apply another layer of oil, let it soak in and wipe the worktop clean again.
Oil that nourishes the wood in depth and protects it against stains and grease.
Oil that nourishes the wood in depth and protects it against stains and grease.
Varnish
Varnish your wooden kitchen worktop for extra protection. Choose a high-quality wood varnish suitable for kitchen surfaces, with a matt or silk-gloss finish, such as V33 Worktop Varnish, Sigma Varnish Matt or Satin.
Apply the varnish evenly with a brush or roller, following the package instructions for drying times and number of coats, and sand lightly between the different coats of varnish for a smooth finish.
It protects the wood against stains, scratches and grease and offers reinforced protection for intensive use.
It protects the wood against stains, scratches and grease and offers reinforced protection for intensive use.
Can you paint a kitchen worktop?
Ofcourse! There are even special paints with which you can do that very easily, such as V33 Renovation Perfection Kitchen. Not quite sure if this will work? We'll be happy to advise you!
Checklist
- Clean and repair if necessary
- Sand the wood in the direction of the wood grain
- Choose whether to oil or varnish
- Oil: apply evenly, leave in and remove residue
- Varnish: apply several coats and sand down in between
Useful tools
Need help?
If some of the steps aren't entirely clear to you, or if you're in a specific situation that isn't covered in our how-to guide, then our experts will be happy to help.
