The project in detail
The video on this project gives the best sense of what the counter looked like when we arrived and what it looked like when we left, and the difference is significant. This counter in Lechlade, Gloucestershire had reached the point where the existing finish had broken down and the surface needed to be taken back to bare wood before anything else could happen. The first step was scraping the counter manually with a stripped blade to remove the old finish and any loose material before sanding began. From there, the surface was sanded through the manufacturer-recommended grades, 80, 120, and 150, each one progressively finer, working through any surface damage and preparing the wood correctly for the new finish. The sanding sequence matters: each grade removes the marks left by the previous one and gets the surface closer to the condition the OSMO oil needs in order to go on properly and adhere well. The finish used was OSMO clear hardwax oil, chosen here to let the natural colour and grain of the wood show through without any tint. It provides a durable, moisture-resistant finish that is well suited to a kitchen environment and is straightforward to maintain. The silicone seal was removed and replaced with a fresh white bead, applied at a consistent thickness throughout for a clean, professional finish along every joint. The result is a counter that looks as it should, properly finished, properly protected, and with years of life ahead of it.
Lechlade, Gloucestershire
Location
