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Finishing Kitchen/Bathroom Counter Tops or Table Tops With Waterlox

Waterlox is a great choice for finishing wood counter tops, bars, vanities, and tables, as it produces a waterproof, durable surface that is easy to maintain and non-toxic when cured. An amateur can achieve professional results by following the following simple instructions.

Preparation: Sand the surface with 100 or 120 grit sandpaper (maximum) to keep the grain open to allow as much Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish as possible to penetrate and seal the wood fibers. If the surface was previously finished with mineral or vegetable oil, wipe it down with mineral spirits or lacquer thinner and scuff sand with 320-grit sandpaper.

Application:

Apply the first coat of Sealer/Finish liberally with a china bristle brush or foam applicator. Do not wipe on or wipe off (application via rag results in 1/3 to 1/2 as much film build as brushing). This brush application method is recommended because it will provide maximum film build, which is needed for adequate water protection. Let the first coat dry overnight.
Apply a second coat of Sealer/Finish as specified in #1 and let dry overnight. After overnight dry, lightly sand with 320-grit or 3/0 or 4/0 steel wool to smooth out the finish. Tack surface with a lint-free rag dampened with mineral spirits.
Apply first coat of your topcoat of choice--Sealer/Finish, Satin, or High Gloss (we’re using Sealer/Finish for all coats). Let dry overnight. Lightly sand with 4/0 steel wool or 320 – 400 grit sandpaper if needed. Tack with mineral spirits and apply last coat of topcoat.
For softer woods like pine and Douglas fir, apply 3 coats of Sealer/Finish before applying the 2 final topcoats.
Allow the surface to cure for at least 72 –96 hrs. During this cure time, do not use the surface.

Staining: If desired, stain can be added to your first coat of Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish. You can add up to 1 quart of oil-based stain to 1 gallon of Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish (4:1 ratio). We recommend you use an old-fashioned oil-based stain (without additives such as urethane). Test the stain mixture as well as the subsequent coats of Waterlox Original Finishes before applying to the entire surface. This will save you a step and will stain the wood more evenly, especially with pine and maple.

Cleaning: Clean with warm water or water combined with a mild soap, or mix 2-4 oz of white vinegar to a gallon of water and fill in spray bottles to use for multiple daily cleaning. Do not use ammonia-based cleaning products like Lysol^®, Fantastik^®, 409^®, Windex^®, etc. on a daily basis (ammonia-based products will soften the oil finish if used frequently), but occasional cleaning with these products is acceptable.

Uses/Things to Avoid:

Try to avoid puddling water for long periods of time; wipe up spills immediately.
For bathrooms, do not let soap sit directly on the finish. Wipe up excess soap immediately.
Waterlox Original Tung Oil products can be used around stoves (also unaffected by boiling water/liquids). Waterlox has good heat resistance; however, avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the finish. Always use a potholder under cooking utensils and hot pans/pots.

Recoat/Maintenance:

1. Simply wash the surface with a vinegar and water solution.

2. Lightly sand the surface if there is ground-in dirt.

3. Wipe an additional coat of what you used as your previous topcoat.

4. Let dry for 48- 96 hrs. before use.