Restoration Farmhouse: March 2013

UPDATE:

I left out one very important step. Between staining and applying the satin finished I should have used Waterlox Orginial Formula first then the satin. Fortunately my counters have still help up well but I do plan on redoing them soon.

I really and I mean really wanted wood counter tops. My house is a 1910 Victorian Farmhouse. Aside from God and my family and friends it is the love of my life. I have tried in everything I've done to preserve the look of the home while making it functional.

For a kitchen in 1910 I wanted an authentic feel. My house would not have been fancy enough for marble. I thought maybe soapstone but I am on a budget so I thought wood. At first I was going to make counters out of salvaged wood flooring then I found the Ikea Numerar butcher block counters. This seemed easier. Ha

Here is a look at my hideous backsplash with laminate backsplash and counter.

So off to Ikea I went and also got the Domsjo single bowl apron front sink:

We bought the Numerar in Beech.

First thing I did was sand off the factory finish with 120 grit sandpaper then 220. I recommend using a mouse sander. It doesn't seem to leave the swirly marks like an orbital or quarter sheet sander. Just my opinion.

Some will say to use a tack cloth to get the dust off. I used the shop vac to vacuum then a clean t-shirt to wipe the rest off. It seemed to work.

First we cut the counters to length: My husband put masking tape on both sides to prevent scratching and splintering. It worked. Then I sanded the edge.

Very important step when staining butcher block is using a pre-stain conditioner. My stain was made by Cabot so I bought the Cabot conditioner. Make sure to read the instructions. Cabot says to apply the stain while it's still wet, other brands say to wait until it's dry. Check your can! It also said to work in small areas. I found that was too complicated. Just work fast.

The Conditioner: I poured it on and wiped it.

Then I used an appropriate brush for stain and brushed it on. (this is actually a picture from the other counter which was in the other room)

Then I went digging through my son's dresser drawers for more old t-shirts. I waited for five minutes then wiped up the excess stain. DO NOT let it dry like this.

This is after it was wiped up and dried.

I used Cabot Brown Mahogany. I stained it four times. I didn't always use the pre-stain conditioner on the other layers. The first time is the most important.

In between stainings I would run my hand over the counters to see if they felt rough. I then would use fine steel wool to LIGHTLY sand, wipe with a clean t-shirt and stain again.

*word of caution* The great thing about wood counters is if you get a scratch you can sand and re-do that spot. HOWEVER if you go dark you will have to stain that little scratch over and over to get it just right.

The next step was Waterlox!

http://www.waterlox.com/products/

Everything on the web said this was the best. It's also made right here in Texas. I was able to buy it in a woodworking store but it can also be ordered online from their website.

I waited two days from the last staining when I applied it. First I rolled it on with a foam roller then got out another clean t-shirt (my son needs new clothes now) and rubbed it in using a circular motion. It then dried smooth. It's beautiful. I put on five coats and waited 24 hours in between coats. AND in case you were wondering this was about a two week project. I also did waterlox each side. The bottom side I only did twice. We also added a vapor barrier over our dishwasher.

BEAUTIFUL

Installing them with the Domsjo sink there has to be a little notch cut out so the sink will fit. Put masking tape again because if you use a jigsaw it will scratch.