wood countertops, vanities, dining tables, & bars
Wood countertops are one of the hottest trends in the kitchen industry, and Waterlox is a great choice for finishing them, 
as it is produces a waterproof, durable surface that is easy to maintain, and non-toxic when cured. And Waterlox does not water spot, leave rings, and does not need to be re-applied like surfaces treated with oil alone. In fact, some of America's largest manufacturers of wood countertops use Waterlox. (Our Sealer/Finish is also a great finish for cement counters too!)

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Finishing Instructions 
Preparation:  Sand the surface with 100 or 150 grit sandpaper. If the surface was previously finished with mineral or vegetable oil, wipe it down with mineral spirits or lacquer thinner and scuff sand.

Choosing your finish: One question that we are asked frequently is, “Which Waterlox product(s) should I use on my counter?”  All  Waterlox Tung Oil Finishes offer a durable, protective  finish that resists moisture and normal household spills. It is available in satin, semi-gloss (Original Sealer/Finish), and gloss sheens. Your choice of sheen is a matter of personal preference. The sheen does not affect the product’s durability. 
NOTE: We do not recommend our Marine Finish for use on interior surfaces.

Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish
55-degree sheen level is our “medium” or semi-gloss.  We recommend this product as the first coat for ANY  finishing job. Used alone, it will give you a shiny but not “glaring” appearance.  It must look pretty good, as it is by far our most popular  finish.



Original Satin Finish
25-degree sheen level, offers a  “subdued” level of gloss with very little reflection.   Note: Waterlox Original Satin Finish contains flattening agent which can settle to the bottom of the can. For best results use a paint shaker, and stir contents  during use. 

                           
  Waterlox Original High-Gloss Finish
85-degree sheen level gives you our shiniest finish. When you desire a very reflective “glass” or  “gym floor” appearance.

Tip: Regardless of the sheen desired, we strongly recommend applying a coat or two of our Original Sealer/Finish to  seal the wood and act as a  base coat for our satin or gloss products

Application: Apply the first coat of Waterlox Sealer/Finish liberally with a  natural bristle brush. Do not wipe off. This brush application method is recommended because it will provide maximum film build, which is needed for adequate water protection.  (application via rag results in 1/3 to 1/2 as much film build as does brushing, and can produce streaks in the finish).  

1.  Let the first coat dry over night (12 to 24 hours).
2. Apply a second coat of Sealer/Finish as specified in #1 and let dry 12-24 hours.  After dry, lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth if necessary.  Tack surface with a lint-free rag dampened with mineral spirits.
3. Apply first coat of your topcoat of choice--Sealer/Finish, Satin, or High Gloss.  Let dry 12-24 hours; again, lightly sand if needed. Tack with mineral spirits and apply last coat of topcoat.
4. For softer woods like pine and Douglas fir, apply 3 coats of Sealer/Finish before applying the 2 final topcoats.
5. Allow the surface to cure for at least 48 to 72  hrs before use. 

Tip: To prevent warping, many wood countertop manufacturers recommend sealing the underside of wood counters, especially when it contains a sink or dishwasher.  Our  Sealer/Finish is ideal  to use for this application.

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 with a mild soap, or mix an oz  of white vinegar, or a product made for cleaning wood floors (like our Cleaner Concentrate) to a quart of water and fill in spray bottles to use for  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. 

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 it is unaffected by boiling water/liquids up to 220 degree. However, always use a potholder under cooking utensils and hot pans/pots.