Another Thread on Butcher Block Finishing

[Dan White]

I know the topic may be exhausted but I have a small mint worth of counter tops coming into my store at the end of the week and have a simple question. First I should say that some of the counter tops will just get a mineral oil treatment and will be used as a sort of decorative food prep area. Other counters will be used for eating off of (not literally), for coffee service, and as a checkout counter. These areas will need a hard finish to prevent water and other schmutz damage.

Now the obvious choice I guess is a poly finish. The only thing is that the raw hard maple has very little depth or color and I'm concerned that a poly finish will just lock in that lack of "character." Is there any way of bringing out some depth in the wood before applying the polyurethane?

Thanks, dwhite

[Greg]

Find out what Edsal puts on work bench tops, then wash it off with mineral spirits, then shoot on your poly. I have an Edsal and a raw homebuit with poly on both. The Edsal has a lot better grain definition and color. I will try to get some pix if you want.

[JGS]

[Dan White]

Thanks Greg and JGS. I'll try both of those things.

dwhite