Moved into new to us house in past year. 100 year old Colonial. We have started renovations on electric and plumbing. Wife has made a request to finish the top of the kitchen counter top though. We plan on completely redoing the kitchen in a year and a half. So I really don’t want to put alot work or money into the current one.
Kitchen has an L shaped counter with sink in the short leg and main counter about 10′ long. The top is somewhat like parquet wood tiles. The top is fairly rough and she wants a smooth top. Doesn’t like the fact that food particles can get between the wood tiles. Is there a recommended self leveling finish that I can use? Something that maybe I can do a couple coats or thick with single coat.
Replies
Hmm. This is interesting. Would it be possible to post some photos of this counter to get a better look at what it is constructed from?
There are indeed self-leveling epoxy resins on the market, BUT they are messy, toxic, usually set up to about a 1/4" thick, and produce an ultra glossy sheen. If this is indeed an all wood counter, then maybe the best approach would be treating it like it was a giant cutting board. By that I mean using a non toxic, renewable finish that leaves a soft satin glow on the wood. Very simple formula: heat a saucepan of mineral oil on LOW heat, crumble and stir in all natural pure beeswax adding a little at a time until it's all melted. No exact measuring just about a 2:1 oil to wax ratio. When the wax is melted slowly pour the contents into a glass jar. When it sets up it should have the consistency of soft butter. Apply with a rag and add two to three (or more) coats. When it begins to dull with use, simply add more. Non toxic, safe, and easily renewed.
Adam
No, pics available as I am away at work. It looks just like a tiled counter top. Just with wood. Best way to describe it. I may just sand it down till smooth and flat and put some kind of laminate on top. Only reason I really dont want to do this is removing the sink, and a large marble pad for rolling dough. She is more worried about food getting into the voids, and ease of cleaning.
You do need to see why the counter is rough? Is the tile lifting in places or is it just some raised grain and the like. If it is just the latter, I would sand and apply several coats of a good varnish such as Behlen Rockhard. The epoxy flow on products always look cheap, in my opinion.
Mostly rough due to what ever they used to fill gaps between the wood tiles. Some of it has come out, not bad but enough my wife complains of stuff being able to get trapped in there.
For a quick solution, epoxy may be the way to go. Won't stand up to hot pots that well (it will blister) but it will fill the cracks and gaps. Concrete supply shops should have something that will work, even some of the "food safe" versions for finishing concrete countertops that are applied with a short nap roller. (From what I've read most epoxies are "food safe" once curing is done but it's your call.) Epoxy will have a high gloss. The gloss can be easily removed by buffing with 000 steel wool or fine sandpaper to get a matte finish. Epoxy might run you $100.
Laminating might give you a better look for the year and a half you'll be looking at them--for any old house, the schedule could easily get pushed back before you get to this part of the reno! (As I'm sure you already appreciate, no knocks intended.)
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