Sanding wooden worktop

[Lucked]

Can anyone give me a step by step guide to sanding stained and ring marked wooden worktops? including which type of sander I should buy if needed. I have a week booked off work but need to buy and sort everything

Thanks.

[lalalonglegs]

Just a normal hand-held sander, start with a rough-grade sandpaper and finish with smooth.

[KentishMama]

I used a small handheld sander and different grades of sandpaper, from rough to smooth. I also hand sanded a few areas, mainly behind the sink. So worth getting some extra sandpaper for that!

[Lucked]

Thanks for the advice I will have a look in B&Q to see what is on offer. How long did it take you guys? And can you recommend a oil/finish

[RaisingSteam]

Osmo Polyx oil is most durable, you can get it online, you shouldn't get any more stains.

[origamiwarrior]

Yes, use Osmo Polyx oil (also called Osmo Top Oil - smaller tin for worktops rather than floors, but actually the same stuff). 'Clear' gives a nice matt finish. Very easy to apply (I use an old t-shirt) and forgiving (i.e. you can't go wrong!). Look at the rave Amazon reviews for it!

It won't take you all week! Maybe a couple of hours on sanding and each coat of oil will take about 10 mins to apply (and I would recommend you apply 3 coats). You will need to clean up all the sanding dust before you oil though, so probably a day's work all in.

Once you have Osmo oiled, you don't need to re-sand for your maintenance oiling. We've had our worktop down just over a year now and I'm going to re-Osmo at some point this month. I have no staining, but it's not looking quite as 'oiled' as it did originally.

[Lucked]

Thanks, won't really have full days because will pick the kids up from nursery mid afternoon also there is a lot to do, I keep putting it off because I haven't been sure what to do but they actually look awful now.

The ismo stuff looks just what I need as I clearly will be doing infrequent maintenance. The kitchen is 20+ years old so not going for perfection, lived in is fine.

[poppet131]

I swear by osmo oil too - it repels red wine and turmeric! Amazing stuff!! The instructions say to do two coats but I did about 6/7 coats (leave to dry and lightly sand with sandpaper between each coat.

[origamiwarrior]

Lucked I think you will be surprised at how good the worktops will look once fully sanded and treated with Osmo. There is no reason the finish will be any less than brand new worktops, since you will be removing the stains and dings, will have a fresh sanded surface and you're oiling with the best oil on the market. Before and after photos would be fab if you could take them! Good luck!

[TremoloGreen]

Any hand held sander
A dust mask
Sanding pads - 180/240/320/400 grit
vacuum cleaner with hose attachment
lint free cloths, even better tack cloths, decorating suppliers sell them
an old rag or paintbrush if you prefer
Osmo oil

The end grains are thirsty, they may need a couple of extra coats

[RaisingSteam]

Disposable gloves are useful, I use a j cloth for osmo and wipe on a thin coat. Don't slop it thickly there is no benefit and it will never dry!

[Lucked]

Good as new? That would be impressive. I will take the before and after shoots although the before will be embarrassing as they really are shocking, we knew nothing about wood and have been using tin canisters and we have had drips from our coffee machine.

Not doing it till the end of April but hoping there will be Easter weekend savings on supplies and sanders. Making my shopping list and getting quite excited now.

[Lucked]

4 different grades of sand paper means I have to sand it 4 times right? Perhaps I should take a fortnight off

[Moving15]

It will take at least two days because you need to take time to allow coats of oil to soak in properly.
Only other tip I can offer is remember to only sand with the grain, not across the grain!