The project in detail
Wooden kitchen counters take a lot of punishment over the years, including heat, moisture, daily contact, and the general wear of a busy kitchen. When the finish starts to fail, the instinct is often to replace the whole counter, but in many cases restoration is a better and more cost-effective answer. This counter in Oxford was a good candidate: the wood itself was sound, but the existing finish had deteriorated and the surface had picked up damage and discolouration that needed addressing. The process begins with stripping the existing finish back completely. From there, the counter was sanded through the manufacturer-recommended grades, 80, 120, and 150, working progressively finer to remove damage, level the surface, and prepare it properly for the new finish. Cutting corners on the sanding grades produces a poor result; each stage has a purpose. Once the surface was properly prepared, the counter was finished with OSMO hardwax oil, tinted to enhance the natural tone of the wood while providing a durable, moisture-resistant finish suitable for a kitchen environment. The silicone seal around the counter was removed and replaced with a fresh bead, applied with consistent thickness throughout. A clean silicone line is a small detail that makes a significant difference to the finished result and to how well the counter performs over time. The result is a counter that looks properly restored and performs as it should.
