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Wood Finishes and Wood Countertop Durability

IIn 1999, Craft-Art began using Waterlox, a penetrating tung-oil varnish,  as the finish on our wood countertops.  W hile many locally made wood tops used no finish at all, the treatment and finishes used by larger manufacturers of wood countertops included:

• Mineral Oil
• Linseed Oil
• Film Finishes (include Conversion Varnish; Lacquer; Marine Varnishes

Mineral Oil (liquid petrolatum) is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. It is transparent and colorless and food safe. Mineral oil is primarily used to help prevent the wood from drying out. Mineral Oil is not a “wood finish” and does not provide any protection from water or from staining.

Linseed oil, also known as flax seed oil is made from the seeds of the flax plant.  Linseed oil, unlike mineral oil does dry. However, like mineral oil, it is not waterproof and does not prevent staining.  It also dries with a noticeable yellow cast.  Some manufacturers add wax to the linseed oil or provide some protection against water penetration.  However, it is temporary and has to be repeated every few months.  In addition, it does not prevent staining.

Conversion Varnish and Lacquer - Prior to the advent of catalyzed conversion varnish, lacquers of various kinds were the most common finish used on wood.  Lacquer was less durable, but expert refinishers could repair damage. Conversion varnish held the promise of being harder and more resistant to chemicals and water than lacquer, but it could not be easily repaired.

Marine Varnishes - These finishes leave a thicker film on the wood and, if catalyzed when applied, provide a very hard, durable finish.  However, they are not food safe.  They also have a very high-gloss and tend to look plastic. 

 

Conversion Varnish, Lacquer, and Marine Varnishes are “film finishes.” They sit on top of the wood.  When the finish is damaged or wares through, moisture will migrate under the finish which will eventually turn a milky white and begin to separate from the the wood.

 

Waterlox Tung Oil Varnish

Tung oil is made from the seeds of the Tung tree.  Tung trees are native to southern China, but are now grown in many parts of South America.  Because Tung oil is waterproof, it was used throughout East Asia for perhaps 2,000 years to seal boat hulls.

Tung oil, in it pure form, is heavy and thick, difficult to work with, and takes a very long time to dry.  For these reasons, pure Tung oil is not a feasible finish to use on a countertop.  Beginning in 1916, the Waterlox Company began making several products from Tung oil.

 

We have modified the application of two of the Waterlox products to produce a waterproof and, with few exceptions, a stain proof wood countertop.  It is not a film finish.  The oil penetrates and bonds with the wood fibers.  Moisture can not get underneath the finish.