Oiling beech worktops

[thunderhorse]

I've just fitted the kitchen out with (unoiled) beechwood tops, and bought 3V3 huile plan de travail (both Castorama). I suspect the oil is linseed, but it says nothing on the tin, and Castorama didn't know... The manufacturers of the worktops give one set of advice for oiling, and instructions on the tin are markedly different (thicker coats). C'est la vie. Friends have suggested making sure to use Danish oil, not linseed.

So, is Danish oil any better than linseed? I also want to get the tops smooth and shiny asap. Would there likely be problems lighly sanding and oiling every week, say, until such is obtained?

Thanks for advice. [B]

[Dick Smith]

Danish oil hardens, Linseed stays slightly sticky is the wisdom.  I've just made a beech dining table and kitchen cabinet and used Danish Oil as a finish. It can be hard work!

The rule as I remember is to oil once an hour for a day, once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month therafter. Buffing in between. For the first few coats I denibbed using 240 grit finishing paper.

Make the sanding very light, as oil does not refinish the surface. If possible I would try a cabinet scraper rather than sandpaper. Danish oil is not very shiny unless you wax over it.

You might try using sanding sealer/oil on an offcut to see how it goes.

After many hours of work on the table top a varnish finish looked like an awfully attractive alternative!

[Lilly]

Danish oil is your best bet, but I admit I have foung it difficult to find here, I have found it in a small bottle (no good for a floor!), if anyone knows how to find this in greater quantities I would be very greatfull. Incidently when the Danish oil is very dry you can indeed buff to a  shine, recommend buffing mop in the drill or similar attachment. Also if you can track it down a Hard wax oil is very hard wearing.

cheers

Lilly

[Cat]

There have been quite a few discussions in the past about oiling worktops and tables that you might like to read through

[toni]

We have beech worktops both at home and in France In France we use the IKEA 'behandla' oil which absorbs very easily but seems quite light in texture and needs to be applied a bit more often than the one we use here which is called 'Osmo' which seems thicker and lasts longer between coats. It is a mixture between  oil and wax and is pretty good. I see on the back of the can that if you require ''a deeper satin finish the surface can be polished usung 'Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner' also available as a spray''. Haven't tried this but it might be worth looking into. The can says they have a website www.osmo.de.

[Scooby]

We used Danish oil (lots of coats!) and are very happy with the result.  We tried linseed oil first and it was a waste of time.  We did have to buy it in the UK though as we couldn't find anywhere that stocked it in France.

[thunderhorse]

Many thanks so far. I'll continue with the 3V3 (I bought two tins, whatever oil it is...) and see how it goes. Opinion seems fairly divided on the issue of linseed v. Danish.

[:D]

[Chancer]

I used Danish oil to start with but could not be ar5ed with the regular re-application.

Now I have a nice patinated farmhouse (grime) look with the added benefit that the anti-bacterial properties of the timber actually get a chance to earn their keep.

Every dog has its day unless buried under several coats of Danish[:)]

[Christine Animal]

Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood?

Where we were before we had a wooden surround for a washbasin, but just because I fancied it like that.  It was varnished and was waterproof, but is it really practical for a worktop?

 

[Jacqui Too]

[quote user="Christine Animal"]

Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood?

Where we were before we had a wooden surround for a washbasin, but just because I fancied it like that.  It was varnished and was waterproof, but is it really practical for a worktop?

[/quote]

I had beech block worktops in my last kitchen, which we bought from 'Howdens' and they also sold the 'oil' that sealed it, it was called 'Rustic oil' and came in 1lt. cans.

I applied it to the tops 4 times with a light sanding in between over 4 days and the instruction said to reapply every few months, but in fact I only did it after 18months because it looked good and I am not looking for work!! when I eventually did them again (2 coats plus a bit of light sanding) they looked superb again.

But would I have them again NOOOOO I have put granite in my new house and love 'em chop till my hearts content and no worries!

[Chancer]

[quote user="Christine Animal"]

Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood?

[/quote]

 

Are you serious Christine? - Some of us live on a real world budget[blink]

I paid 85 euros for a 3 metre lenghth that I could cut and work by hand or power tools, mitre, make an opening for a sink and rout in drainage grooves, clamping bolt recesses etc

How many zeros would I have to add to "fait faire" that lot in granite or marble I ask myself? Dont answer the reply will only make me ill,

I have a cutting from connections where a disgruntled British customer is complainin after having paid €40,000 for a kitchen that still has some unresolved problems, that is the same price as I paid for my property in France and the hotel part came with a commercial kitchen;he was not complaining abuut the price mind just missing bits, drawers that dont shut etc, the units in the photo looked like brico-depot ones.

Some of my UK friends recently paid even more for their oak fitted kitchen with the obligatory granite worktops, I have to smile because on having seen my work his wife wants me to replace all the worktops with beech.

For me it was price, workability and most importantly the anti-bacterial qualities of the wood (except if sealed with danish oil or whatever)which is why it has been in use for many centuries. I seriously hope that it isnt now a fashion thing Christine as I would then have to reluctantly remove my beech and fit whatever is not in favor (but never granite),

[Christine Animal]

Sorry, it was just that I had never seen a beech kitchen work top before.  I hadn't thought of the price, formica is also cheap.  I didn't know beech was cheap.  Maybe they have been the thing in Britain as I did a search and saw plenty.  I haven't seen them in France, but that's maybe because I haven't looked!

 

[thunderhorse]

[quote user="Christine Animal"]

Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood?

Where we were before we had a wooden surround for a washbasin, but just because I fancied it like that.  It was varnished and was waterproof, but is it really practical for a worktop?[/quote]

I think it's the appeal of a natural material. Yes, the upkeep is more, but they do look rather nice. My sister-in-law has got over the fussiness with hers over three years and bashes away on them to her heart's content - and they still look good - that lovely hint of distressing!

[powerdesal]

[quote user="thunderhorse"][quote user="Christine Animal"]

Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood?

Where we were before we had a wooden surround for a washbasin, but just because I fancied it like that.  It was varnished and was waterproof, but is it really practical for a worktop?[/quote]

I think it's the appeal of a natural material. Yes, the upkeep is more, but they do look rather nice. My sister-in-law has got over the fussiness with hers over three years and bashes away on them to her heart's content - and they still look good - that lovely hint of distressing!

[/quote]

Surely granite and marble class as natural materials. We have green marble worktops here in the UAE and black granite in France. I imported the granite from the UAE in a container load of furniture having had it cut to size here, including the sink hole. About 6m running length that probably cost in total about E240 equivalent, that was cut, bevelled and palletised for shipping, including upstands.

We will be taking our green marble tops with us to France when we leave here (hopefully next year) with a view to recycling them to the bathroom - if it ever gets finished.

Maybe I should take orders and supply some granite / marble.

[Chancer]

Wow that is seriously good (relative) value, you havn't missed out a zero just to tease me have you?

I actually quite like marble but grew sick of it as almost every one of my ex-customers (I did automatic gate systems) seemed to have them in their new, obscenely large "trophy kitchens" together with an obligatory cast or wrought iron cookbook stand with a Jamie Oliver book discreetly (not!) opened on a page of artistic food porn, actually autistic might have been a better term for the works of J.O.

Funny thing was despite having kitchens bigger than most houses i have lived in and fully equipped with unpronounceable designer electromanegerie none of them actually seemed to be capable of cooking a meal judging by the empty Waitrose and Safeway ready meal boxes or the champagne bottles and delivery boxes from the outside caterers.

Maybe if word gets out just how cheap they are in the UAE they might start throwing them out and then I might indulge myself!

[powerdesal]

I havn't missed a zero out, I dont have the actual invoice to hand (the house is full of packing boxes) but yes, it was good value, which is why we did it.

Our kitchen here was refitted by the landlord and he agreed to our request for green marble, if it wasn't cheap enough he would have refused (landlords dont like spending money, at least ours doesn't).

There is a lot of marble and granite used here, its from India in large sheets and is cut to whatever shape you wish and polished / finished etc. The working practices at the marble companies would make you seriously cringe but thats the reality of life.

We had designed our French kitchen during one holiday and got the granite all cut to size to meet that design. Not a trophy kitchen as its based on B & Q carcasses, our worktops and my homemade doors / drawer fronts - one day it may even be finished!!!!! We do have a wrought iron cook book stand though. (Jamie Oliver is a plank!!!!!!)

Shipping marble / granite is really only an option if you are already sending a container, the weight is then not a consideration. Handling the palletised marble at the receipt end is not the easiest thing in the world. Its very unforgiving stuff if it lands on your feet. (wife, hospital, serious crush injuries etc etc - been there, done that).

My next container run will be July / Aug 2009 and then the green marble will be recycled into a bathroom worktop. I have a dedicated marble cutting circular saw unit with water feed and can cut the pieces to fit.

Its a tempting proposition to bring extra marble / granite but (probably) totally illegal as it would have to be imported as "personal effects"

I have some photos which, one day, I may upload to the net and post.

[Rob Roy]

I think one of the things I was most reluctant to leave in England was my wooden kitchen work tops! One of our sons was a tree surgeon and I was lucky enough to have sycamore work tops, with the outside edge naturally wavy where the tree had been sliced lengthways. We used Danish (teak) oil to seal them, having been told that not only does linseed oil remain tacky, but will affect the taste of food should it come in contact with it. Danish oil gave the most fantastic finish - I could put anything on it without worrying - even hot roasting dishes or casseroles straight from the oven. A quick wipe over with a damp cloth was usually all that was needed to clean them.

We are due to move shortly and having had tiled work tops in our first French home I am going back to natural wood for my new kitchen.

[Scooby]

We have black granite worktops in our kitchen in the UK (along with slabbed floors, oak units, range cooker etc - and yes I  definitely can cook [;-)] ) I also waited 15 years for my kitchen in the UK!  We (or should I say I!) will eventually hope to have a similar kitchen in my / our french home - when I can afford.  In the meantime the beech work tops are a (relatively) inexpensive make do.

We had our UK granite work tops made be a monumental mason (the ones that make tombstones!) - waay cheaper than ordering from a kitchen fitter

[thunderhorse]

[quote user="Rob Roy"]

... We used Danish (teak) oil... [/quote]

I still don't know what the 3V3 oil is that we purchased from Castorama (huile Plan de Travail), but the sheen is coming up after two more coats, and it certainly isn't tacky.

@ Rob - is Danish oil actually teak oil?

[Rose]

[quote user="thunderhorse"]
I still don't know what the 3V3 oil is that we purchased from Castorama (huile Plan de Travail), but the sheen is coming up after two more coats, and it certainly isn't tacky.

[/quote]

Hi Thunderhorse... how have you got on with the 3v3 oil?  I bought a 0.5l tin today in Leroy's for my new beech worktops... I will start to sand and rub in tomorrow and over the next few days so I'd be really interested to hear what you think.  How have you applied the oil as I've been given various advice... [:)]

[Jo]

[quote user="Rob Roy"]

I think one of the things I was most reluctant to leave in England was my wooden kitchen work tops! One of our sons was a tree surgeon and I was lucky enough to have sycamore work tops, with the outside edge naturally wavy where the tree had been sliced lengthways. We used Danish (teak) oil to seal them, having been told that not only does linseed oil remain tacky, but will affect the taste of food should it come in contact with it. Danish oil gave the most fantastic finish - I could put anything on it without worrying - even hot roasting dishes or casseroles straight from the oven. A quick wipe over with a damp cloth was usually all that was needed to clean them.

We are due to move shortly and having had tiled work tops in our first French home I am going back to natural wood for my new kitchen.

[/quote]

My sister had beech worktops in her kitchen in UK and swore by them, but she is very good about remembering to oil them, she used teak oil. She also always used a chopping board! We bought them from Ikea and they were £30 for a 2m length, really thick and heavy, and I still use the offcuts as chopping boards[:)]

I have just asked about having worktops in the UK replaced with wood EFFECT laminated worktop, and have been quoted £920.00 to fit 2 straight runs, 1.5m and 0.5m, and another 2m run which would have the existing inset sink fitted back into it[:-))] I was expecting about £300-£400[blink]

[powerdesal]

Further to my price of black granite earlier, I have two worktops to collect tomorrow for the present shipping run.

600mm x 1425 mm x 20mm, polished, bevelled etc    E 78 (equivalent) ( £62.40)

600mm x 1325 mm x 20 mm         ditto                      E 67.50              ( £ 54 )

That should finish off the kitchen.

For interest, best quote for a 20 ft container (30 m cu) door to door E5094. ( c £4000 ish)

[Rose]

well I can't beat the marble price but slightly cheaper than shipping... leroy's currently have 2.5 m lengths of very nice thick beech worktop for 89 euros... I now have 5 to oil so wish me luck!! [:D]

[powerdesal]

Had I not been in the position to ship the granite the Beech tops you mention would certainly have serious appeal. Best of luck.

[thunderhorse]

[quote user="Rose"]well I can't beat the marble price but slightly cheaper than shipping... leroy's currently have 2.5 m lengths of very nice thick beech worktop for 89 euros... I now have 5 to oil so wish me luck!! [:D][/quote]

High maintenance, but they look good.