How do I treat a wooden sink surround/draining board

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Hi all

We have moved into a house & the kitchen has a lovely oak surround/draining board. I have noticed that the surface has started to feel a bit sticky - so it looks like it is time to freshen it up. There are some black marks around the base of the taps & it looks a bit tired.

The people who we bought the house of did not leave me any instructions on how to maintain it but did leave some danish oil under the sink. It looks to me like they have put a coat of polyurethane over the top of whatever was there as there are patchy bits and some uneven bits.

Also the work surface is edged in the same wood & that looks to be the same - so I presume that I need to treat that the same.

Thanks so much


How do I start on this one.
 
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Black marks on wood normally indicates (long-term) moist problem, not very amazing since it's around a sink. Water could have penetrated the wood very deeply.
Best way forward is to sand the wood to try to remove as much as the black marks as possible, removing old layers of oil and to apply a new finish.
 
Thanks for that woodyoulike - there is only 1 small patch around each tap - like you say - not surprising really!

So you say that I should rub down the whole thing - do I then use the Danish oil? Any do/don'ts with that - never used it before.

Am I Ok to to leave it at that or should I put matt varnish over the top (would prefer not too as it looks icky. How often would you suggest retreating - I am quite careful and make sure that all water is wiped off as much as possible.

Thanks again
 
Isnt there a product called 'geddes bleach' or somthing?.....meant for getting rid of stains?
 
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Wax/oil and varnish don't mix, it's either wax/oil or varnish.

Have a look here for suitable oil products, click on the colour link. Once applied the water will normally stay on top of the finish, if that doesn't happen any more you will know it's time for a maintenance layer. But I would suggest every two - three months to apply a (thin) maintenance layer
 
Oak likes turning black given the slightest chance, and the presence of metal (like taps) and damp and it's off. Raw linseed oil was the usual finish for oak. Takes ages to dry, but that's no problem. If you do as woodulike suggests and get rid of the old layers, but gently and don't use chemical strippers, then avoid using the taps or sink for as long as possible before reoiling, the wood can dry a bit. If you decide to go with raw linseed, get GOOD quality stuff, not the cheapest, and warm it up to 60 deg C, brush it on and keep it warm with a heat gun (don't overheat) it will penetrate more. Oil it every day for a week, then a wipe now and again.
 
Thank you so much for all your advice - looks like it will be fun anyways - why do I get all the good jobs!!!

Hopefully - it will look miles better when I have finished.

Thanks again
 

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