“How can I protect worktops and solid oak kitchen cabinets against water ingress?” Question of the Week 13/11/2016
“How can I protect worktops and solid oak kitchen cabinets against water ingress?”
This week, Shania in Felixstowe emailed us to ask about the ongoing maintenance of her solid oak kitchen cabinets and wooden worktops.
QUESTION:
“I’ve recently purchased oak cabinets and wood worktops from your company – and I’m so delighted with them! I know that water ingress is bad for wood, however; how can I protect my new kitchen against this?”
ANSWER:
Hi Shania,
Thanks for getting in touch, and for giving your new solid wood kitchen components the care and attention they deserve. You are right to be wary of water; if left unprotected, timber can be damaged and marked by water left on its surface. However, there is no need to worry. With a few simple steps, you can ensure your wooden worktops and cabinets are sufficiently protected, whilst maintaining a high-quality finish:
SOLID OAK CABINETS
All of our oak cabinets are coated in a hard-wearing lacquer, which is resistant to water and stains. Therefore, no additional action needs to be taken unless the lacquer becomes damaged (in which case it should be refinished with a matching, natural-looking treatment). If any water is spilt within a cabinet, be sure to mop it up immediately.
WORKTOPS
-
Prior to installation, coat each side of the worktop with three layers of Rustins Danish Oil, and apply six layers to the end grain. Sufficient drying time should be left between layers to ensure the best possible finish.
-
Once the worktop has been installed, lightly sand the top of the worktop with fine sandpaper, remove any dust, and apply one final generous coat of oil. Leave to absorb for 30 minutes, and apply extra oil if areas begin to dry out. After 30 minutes, remove any excess, leave to dry overnight, and repeat. These early stages may take a little time, but are certainly worth it in the long term.
-
Once installed, apply one coat of oil every week for the first six weeks, and one coat every 3 months thereafter to maintain a good level of water resistance.
As solid wood worktops are not coated in water-resistant lacquer, a few extra steps are necessary to prevent water ingress and keep them looking their best:
To check if your wooden surfaces have sufficient water-resistance: leave a droplet of water on the worktop. If it holds its shape then water-resistance is good; if the droplet pools and is absorbed into the wood, more oiling is required.
If you have any more queries about how to keep your new kitchen looking its best, please don’t hesitate to get in touch again. Our site also contains a number of handy information guides – which cover a wide range of frequently asked questions – that you may wish to consult.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Ask us now on , or send us a message.
No Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment
I consent that the information I have provided may be used by Direct Online Services LTD for continued correspondence. You may opt out at any time by contacting us, or via the 'Unsubscribe' link at the bottom of any email correspondence. Please view our privacy policy for further information.