I'm new to woodworking and currently refinishing my butcher block countertops with Watco Butcher Block Oil & Stain in Hazelnut. The stain is working well, but I'm looking for a way to add a deep, warm luster. I've heard great things about Howard Butcher Block Conditioner, and I want to know if it's okay to use it over the Watco stain or if it would be a bad idea. Any advice would be appreciated!
1 Answer
Yes, you can definitely use Howard Butcher Block Conditioner over the Watco stain! However, just a heads up: the Howard's is mainly mineral oil and beeswax, which means you're adding a mineral oil finish on top of a tung oil finish. If you're looking for extra sheen and some protection, you might want to consider a pure tung oil and wax blend instead. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Watco for food surfaces since it contains metallic driers and solvents, but it's FDA approved and should be safe for home use.
Thanks for the info! We don’t usually put food directly on the countertops, just use cutting boards. Do you have a recommendation for a good tung oil and wax blend?
I just wanted to clarify that while the Watco oil has tung oil, it also includes some solvents that evaporate, but there are metallic driers that can remain in the wood. So, if you're particular about safety, you might want to look into those things further.