How To Remove Stains, Re-finish & Oil Wooden Kitchen Counter Worktops

In this video I will be showing how to do scraping, sanding, and re-finishing on some wooden kitchen worktops / work surfaces / counter tops at a local AirBnB. I need to remove the water stains, heat marks, wear and mould and strip down to the bare wood, and then restore the natural beauty of the wood - which I do by oiling using a hard wax oil finish. This restoration took 6 hours in total, which excludes thie time it took for the finish to dry.
Hard Wax Oil: geni.us/XJ5Wc6
My Card Scraper video: bit.ly/cardscraper
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#worktop #refinish #wood

[@neveryours91]

The first half of the kzbin.infoUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.

[@Jay-qe3jz]

So after 2 builders saying just use Danish oil mate. 1 other saying you need new worktops . And a professional wood restoration man. Not actually getting back to me with a date I stumbled across this video. Ahmed.. thank you very much. I ordered all the same stuff. Just finished all the prep work and they are looking like brand new already.. now to clean up and apply the fiddes hard wax oil. Thank you again..... this is one of the best informative videos your come across

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you

[@tracywilson8339]

It's actually quite a good feeling when you do it all yourself, All we needed was the right advice and tools.

[@tracywilson8339]

After watching your video several times after deciding, I needed to take back my 30 year old worktop. Many years of tung oil on it, black round the tap area, . Looked awful. Anyway I used the card scraper and didn't really get on with it so continued with the carbine scraper ( excellent tool) anyway finished up by sanding using your advice on the sanding discs and what a result.. so pleased. Purchased the oil wax you suggested and looks amazing. Will need to do a 3rd coat later tonight as the worktop is really soaking it up well impressed with the result, Dining room table, chairs and dresser next. My husband was shocked I managed it, and decorated the kitchen in 2 days. Thankyou for your easy to follow video.

[@annecleave5985]

Crikey! Can't believe it's a year since I posted on here and am only now just getting round to doing my worktops. In the meantime, I built a shed, renovated my garden gate, done a fair bit of gardening and had Covid (I made a full recovery so am now back at the DIY as neither brother nor son, are going to be able to visit me for quite some time). I've used the blade for the large areas and the little scraper for the more difficult area around the tap (it's round so harder to deal with than the square one in the video). I spent about 45 minutes scraping and then stopped for a spot of lunch. I forgot to take a couple of pics but I have to say that the black ring marks, and even a transfer from some packaging that left a mirror image on the surface seem to be gone. A little bit of sanding has been done but I can still see the odd bit of old Danish oil that needs to go. I think I've got time to get two coats on today which is great. Watching the video again was a great refresher (at 73+ things tend to get lost in the miasma that is my brain), so thanks again for this.

[@mikewells5744]

This is exactly what I needed, I have just ordered the scraper. You could save me a massive sanding job doing it this way. Thanks so much! 👍🏻😎

[@negotiableaffections]

You did 'em proud, Keith. I think that looks better than the original finish.

[@MidtownSkyport]

I've been using the same product for finishing chess/game boards. It was the nearest I could find to what Ishitani Furniture uses and I'm really impressed with it.

[@PaulieM]

Thank you for posting this video. It gave me the confidence to scrap, sand and finish my own kitchen worktops which were in really terrible shape. They look great now.

[@swampy1234]

@Minh Dolder shut up

[@swampy1234]

@Zavier Lionel shut up

[@benwoodgate535]

Thankyou for making this video. I followed every step by the letter on my own kitchen worktops, even using the same finish and they look great! Finally put my ‘O’ level woodwork to good use :)

[@nikki_jp4216]

I am SO thrilled with the results on my kitchen worktop. I did it with Danish oil a few years ago, but it was looking bad. So I got in all the tools, (love the Barco tool in particular!). I ordered two 250 cl tins of the wax oil, they were small, but it went so far that I only used one tin despite four coatings (yes, I decided to take no risks!!). It is fab, highly recommend. Now doing my kitchen door, no stopping me 😂

[@tracywilson8339]

Same :)) I'm on a mission now. Everything wood is getting it!

[@libasaurusrex]

Perfect - thanks for this. I bought a home with a wooden worktop in the kitchen and I had no idea how to tackle it. Much appreciated!

[@thejam51]

Thanks for posting this video. I was quoted £1,300 to do my galley kitchen! Going to give this a go this weekend!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

That's ridiculous!!

[@gilesskerry8648]

My kitchen fitter did a terrible job with danish oil on the worksurface, now they look amazing thanks to this video! Cheers

[@debrasun9494]

I love how you showed when you stopped to eat lunch! :D

[@clairefisher5191]

Great video - This saved lots of frustration with loaded sand discs & like you I only needed 1 to do the whole job thanks to scraping beforehand. Cant wait to go down to a brand new looking worktop tomorrow morning - thanks again for sharing!

[@katrinamoore3520]

Thank you. Just what I needed to tackle my kitchen surface.

[@jackbreeze1394]

Top bit of advice this mate. Followed the steps you've taken here to re-oil some oak work tops this weekend and they have come out looking brand new!! Great shout on the scraper to begin.

[@Oscar-xj1xk]

Great video! Like your scraping approach, well done! ...and now...it's time for lunch... :)

[@joanneatkinson8397]

This is perfect, thank you. We just had a quote we can’t afford to have this done, so we will now do it ourselves. Perfect, thank you. Joanne

[@imranhussain9335]

How much were you quoted?

[@ksp1278]

Loved the video. A job well done, and a well edited video.

[@TNgrandee3]

Beautiful restoration work.

[@ThePistolWhippets]

What a superb video. I will definitely be sending a tip if this all goes to plan. I had never even heard of a scraper!

[@DaBigDawg1978]

Just done my dining room table using this method as well as using fiddes. It's turned out really well so the kitchen surfaces will be next. Good video, simple process and inspired many to do the same 👍

[@ClairesCraftyCorner]

This has been so so helpful thank you - so easy to follow. My worktops are severe but I am confident I can get them back :)

[@p_mouse8676]

Super nicely done! I personally would have fixed the area around the water tap so they won't get these issues again. Most of the time it's just that the surface is to flat, and just a slight angle would fix that, since the water would roll off to the sink.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Great advice 👍

[@JamesW81]

I'm in the process of doing our kitchen worktops, and was not far off putting Danish oil on them. Glad I found this when I did, just bought the hard wax oil. £30 for the litre but looks well worth it. 👍

[@briansworkshop01]

Great job and finish 👍👍👍👍

[@cbacaa]

Perfect restoration!

[@Muppetkeeper]

Hello, thanks for the video, using the hard wax oil rather than Danish Oil is a revelation, I managed to sand and reseal my worktops in a day, with excellent results, last time it took me 5 days for very poor results.

[@juliemarsh94]

Nice video! So instructive. I have recently bought wood worktops and applied the oil that was recommended on the package, 3 coats. But it actually looks so unfinished, it still sort of absorbs a bit of water and is not shiny at all, it feels very fragile. I am sanding it and applying the finishing you have used. Wish me luck hehe

[@ianashton1593]

Going to redo my oak kitchen worktops so this has been a great help. Many thanks 👍

[@WoodyW2k]

Great work, Keith. Think I might invest in a card scraper and explore the techniques. Loved the lunchtime excitement! 😬

[@steemdup]

I need an ASMR video of this card scraper - so good!

[@gaycha6589]

Great work. You can use your orbital with a car paint sponge pad to work in the oil deeper to the grain after application. Shortens drying time too

[@lordteabelly]

im wanting to do this for my worktops too. i was thinking of gettifn someone in to do it as i was nervous, but it looks like a fairly easy job to do yourself, just time consuming really but i think if i dedicated a weekend to get it done it would get my kitchen looking like bew again.

[@IngridRollema]

Wow, those are some nice countertops -- and they look even better now! That wax oil finish looks really good -- perfect choice for the counter. Good call on the music on this video btw. Has a nice mellow vibe to it.

[@DG-mv6zw]

Such an interesting process and so satisfying to watch. I had no idea such a service was available. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@M9Diry]

I need to redo my Ikea wood top kitchen ( which was here when I bought the place, wouldn’t have chosen it myself due to this maintenance )... I’m really scared of making it worse but your video gave me soem cofnidence on what I need to do. Thanks

[@kevinkaiser920]

Awesome job, I'm sure the client was very happy with your work! And thanks for the video, I'm about to do the same job and this helped immensely.

[@Chandransingham]

Very helpful and useful technical knowledge to proceed on my own on similarly well used dark oak wood work top with many stains and blisters. I think they were originally IKEA more than 10 years ago.

[@markgoode4109]

Interesting video. It's good to see these jobs coming in for you. Let's hope there are many more of them. Best wishes.

[@ianvicedomini2648]

Brilliant job done there Keith. Nice finish. Great video mate 👍🏼👍🏼

[@skyfooty]

Your presenting had improved massively and you have opened the option of wood counters by being able to fix them

[@orbepa]

This will definitely be of use in the future. Love your videos, thanks for putting all the time in to make them.

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

Great refurb, mate. 👍 Love that hard wax oil, made those puppies pop! 👌

[@azza1793]

Wow Keith 84k subscribers now, you are going from strength to strength bud

[@shirliwalker3276]

Nice to see you are in Norwich! Recognised Grapes Hill and Chapelfield! Good video!

[@shobhanapatel4113]

The best way to do it because it has dish drainer look so the grove came out good too

[@robmcafe]

Awesome looks spiffy, top job!

[@thomasl6912]

Great work! Thank you for the useful video. I just can't believe that the owner of the property couldn't clear the worktop before you arrived.

[@gvcooljr]

Nice looking finish, the oil worked well, should last a long time, good job...

[@richardeakin8309]

Really helpful video, and great oil recommendation. You get what you pay for! Many thanks for the tips and guidance, I followed it all and am very happy with the result 😊👍🏻.

[@yellerbellyworkshop]

Great job.. well done.👍

[@Yet1moreUtuber]

Counter tops came out pretty sweet! Will look for that oil finish product and give it a try.

[@Ajklens]

Thanks for posting such informative video

[@cachinnans]

Fabulously helpful and instructive. Have just refurbished my worktops following your excellent guidelines. I'm very impressed also with the Fiddes Hard Wax Oil. When I opened it up I thought; "Oh, it's just posh polyurethane". But it isn't !! Many Thanks.

[@jacquelinemitrovic5867]

excellent... personable guy & helpful guide

[@magicbus144]

Great vid. Very informative for a beginner like me. Cheers

[@torriajenkins7736]

Beautiful I wish I could get you to do my butcher block table

[@timnavin-jones5159]

This was really useful. Thanks so much

[@EwertonVSilva]

You did such a good job that made me give up on doing it myself 😂 thanks

[@michaelsullenberger3885]

Nicely done

[@adrianmonk5342]

Following your tips saved me a lot of dirt and hardship. Scrapping off old wax and then using mesh-like sanding pads resulted in using just one 80-grit and one 120-grit pad, instead of the usual mess white spirited rags and a mountain of clogged pads. Even better I now have a Burco wood scraper to play with.

[@annecleave5985]

I've been wondering how to restore my worktops and I think this will be it. I'm a 73-year-old 'lady' so I hope I'm going to manage. I'll give it a try, anyway. Now I just need the kit...

[@williamn01]

How did you get on Anne hope you managed to get it all done without any hiccups 👍 All the best

[@annecleave5985]

@@williamn01 Not actually done it yet - we've been in a spell of good weather here so I've cleared a load of breeze blocks and mortar from an old concrete oil tank base and built a new shed on it. Plus some gardening and other stuff. Probably start it in the next week or so - watch this space>

[@williamn01]

@@annecleave5985 gd stuff Anne yes weather has been great here to, rather miserable today tho. Hope it all works out as planned for you. All the best

[@annecleave5985]

@@williamn01 Forgot to say that I bought all the kit almost straight away so I'm keen to get the job in hand.

[@williamn01]

@@annecleave5985 Rome wasn't built in a day as they say Anne 😂, I do that aswell as other things pop up, wee get there in the end tho.

[@sburge1989]

That hard wax oil gave a damn nice finish. You're a dab hand with the card scraper too that old finish came off easily.

[@nathanlucas6465]

Finally tried this today. Didnt spend enough time sanding down to get all the marks out, but also wanted to limit the amount of dust I was creating. Not bad for a first try though. That fiddes wax oil is fantastic stuff! Much nicer colour than before - its now a better oak colour, much less orange. Hopefully it lasts better than the Danish oil that was there previously

[@David_K_Dickson]

Nice job. Well done.

[@azobichambonbonki]

thanks a lot man! this really helped me out, i had the same problem and the counter looks great now :)

[@takingbackjordan]

Most satisfying diy I’ve done thanks to this video. Just applied my first coat so If you’re still active on the channel can you tell me what you recommend to use for denibbing?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I have a video about denibbing

[@philwebb8049]

Brilliant Keith, I have to recover my worktops so this has been awesome.. I will be giving this a try next week!

[@alooshalshammari5915]

Truly well done

[@chrise7058]

Great video. Thanks.

[@kathleengray1275]

Thank you!

[@camysalleh7152]

Wow 👍👍👍💕💕like and love it really enjoy watching it.

[@stevieabs123]

absolutely amazing.. I could do with you doing my units please

[@rmlvk3601]

very good. Thank you

[@raymondmalone9721]

Good job 👍

[@nathanlucas6465]

Really useful vid, this is a job that's on my to-do list. They were done in the past with Danish oil, but there are quite a few bad stains on them now, and it's more than you can pass off as patina 😆

[@richmondvand147]

More and more I'm leaning towards a wood counter top. "oh no my top is stained and marred.. guess I'll fix it in an afternoon" vs "oh no, guess I need to buy a whole new counter top" and the looks are so much warmer when combined with a cool painted cabinet colour

[@frankslittleworkshop]

Nicely done once again 👍. I have to refresh my oak worktop in the kitchen.. I think I need to get myself a scraper. Keep up the great videos 😁

[@jenniferclarke3622]

Great job!

[@k.markendahl4063]

What a great video! Love the cutting!

[@marionsgray]

Thanks for sharing.

[@sophiestrickland2696]

These look so good! Wish you could come and do our kitchen tops for us!

[@bobbonham4823]

Nice Job!

[@kricketkitty]

I have a peeling wood countertop dilemma, wondering if you have a suggestion. We have a section of our small kitchen countertop that is peeling badly in our tiny house. Don't know what previous owners varnished it with before we bought it 4 years ago, but it's not lasting. Because of chemical allergies, a cat with asthma, and the high amount of wood and varnish dust particles that would be generated inside our small living space, normal sanding or indoor varnish isn't an option. I thought maybe just try to cover it with a stainless steel cutting board. The other idea was perhaps to disassemble the entire countertop and take it outside to refinish it but that is a big headache. Then I saw your scraping tool and thought that may work, indoors, then maybe go over it super slowly with sandpaper and a shop vac while sanding. But then the varnish has to be all natural, unless I leave it bare wood and cover that with the stainless steel cutting board. I tried tung oil on a small shelf I made and it reeked so bad I couldn't use it indoors for weeks until it cured. I did like 4 coats but it never hardened thick enough to prevent staining and seemed to attract dirt with little use rather than repel it. Does the natural oil varnish you are using in this video have any odor and what is the cure time? What would you advise if indoor repair is a challenge, in order to create the least amount of indoor toxicity? Scrape and leave bare, or apply a few coats of beeswax oil then cover with the stainless cutting board? How long are wood finishes supposed to last, specifically in high traffic, food prep environments? Because of this experience with varnish peeling off, it makes me not want to use wood or have to deal with refinishing again. I will probably end up getting a used restaurant stainless steel sink with built in countertop to replace the entire kitchen unit, which is nasty particle board and build solid wood shelves and doors into it, but it will be next year and we need a solution now to remedy the immediate peeling problem. Thanks for any feedback to this challenge.

[@bn2469]

Great video, loving the scraper, I have one but it's not sharp so I will check out the sharpening video. Thanks!! Is it possible to just re wax a patch of damage on an oak worktop?

[@Stephens8x6Workshop]

That is one professional job Kieth. Nicely done :-)

[@Dakiniwoman]

Thank you for a great video... it is very helpful...

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Great video. Keith, have a look at Heidelberg Prolignum hard wax oil from amicus uk. I got some a couple of months ago and don’t use anything else now. It’s food and toy safe, plus if you want to use it on table legs for example, mix a little white spirit in. It’s around £22 a litre which isn’t cheap, but slightly more than danish oil which is nowhere near as good as this stuff😀

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you I’ll definitely check that out 👍

[@enabledworkshop]

nicely done!

[@eduardvaniersel7535]

That's still quite a thick layer of hard wax oil you're putting on. I usually apply a thin coat with a rag, let it sit for about ten minutes and then really thouroughly rub off the excess. Having said that: you've got a good result by the look of it.

[@Wordsnwood]

pretty amazing to get all that done in one day.

[@simeonsmith8932]

Would the results be the same if I used an ordinary electric ‘mouse’ style sander?

[@pennyosborne1137]

Fab vid, thanks!

[@mynameisyasser]

fantastic

[@tworiversworkshop6111]

How you got the time to do the job and film it all beats me! I have to tackle our kitchen worktops soon and was thinking of using Osmo, but the Fiddes oil looks a good alternative and I shall give that a try. This was a really good video, thank you.

[@Woofsaidflaherty2]

Thanks, couldn't get the liquid oil in Australia. Only the hard one you have to rub on with a cloth. Hands are tired now!!

[@SCMaffs1985]

Good to see Anglia Sq in the background!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I wonder for how long it will look that way

[@SCMaffs1985]

As someone looking at it all day long....not long hopefully!!

[@twwanderer]

Rag n bone recipe book on the way? Lovely deep shine on it, how much was it per tin and what coverage does it give?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Haha, I’m fortunate that Ria made my lunch! 😀 the hard wax oil was £28 for 1L, it goes further than I was expecting - I used about half a tin on this job with two coats