Expert: Jamie Yocono - 8/19/2011

Question
Hello - I have a butcher block kitchen cart that I would like to sand down and then apply a color (wood stain?) to.  I wanted to know if there's anything I can use to then protect it and be able to use for cutting foods on like I do now.  I would appreciate any advice you can give on this matter.  I'm trying to avoid buying a whole new cart!
Thank you.

Answer
Luz,

Yes, you can sand and stain your butcher block top without too much trouble. I would sand it to at least 220 grit sandpaper. Start off with coarser paper, and work up through the grits to remove all of the scratches. Once it's free of scratches, you can stain it, but I do not recommend staining it. You always run the risk of stain coming off (bleeding) into whatever you put on top of the wood. So the best finish is a clear one. If you're absolutely sure you want to stain it, I like Minwax or Zar stains, they're readily available.

Protecting it is easy, here's what I recommend over the stain:

http://www.amazon.com/John-Boos-Mystery-Butcher-Block/dp/B00063QPYQ

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Watco-Butcher-Block-Oil-Finish/dp/B000VITOT4

I've used both, and they're both very easy to use. They work well.

Hope this helps,

Jamie in Vegas


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Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com