Saturday 28 March 2015

Oil on the water....


Sometimes I let things drift for longer than I should and when I do that, well sometimes it has an adverse effect on the things that I have let drift. Now let's all give praise that I don't captain a boat and that you are upon it, especially if it was a wooden boat.

We were warned when we decided to have wooden worksurfaces in the kitchen that they would need oiling every six months or so. Of course that would be 'no problem' - and off course it was. For the first year I oiled away merrily (actually un-merrily I hated the job) and then I let it drift.

Five or six years of no oil later and our kitchen worksurfaces were in a state. The water had got into them, staining them black, and the oiled bits had become hard and patchy. There was only one thing for it - sort it out.

Of course I didn't want to go back to oiling, so I spent four or five hours happily sanding out the stains by hand and removing the old oil. I couldn't quite bring the wood back to pristine condition, but hey - let's call that character, a little bit shabby chic, rustic charm, and nothing to do with negligence.

In honesty though I did do a pretty good job and by the time my hands were as rough as a badger's arse (are they rough and who would know and how?) the wood was looking far healthier. Instead of oil I then brushed on Polivine dead flat decorator's varnish, three coats of gentle going along the grain with a very good brush. Now, not only do the worksufaces have what appears to be a beautiful a wax finish but it's also completely waterproof.

If I ever do captain a wooden ship that is what I am going to use. Polyvine, so much easier than oil.

12 comments:

  1. Lindsey Messenger on FB
    love you kitchen....

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    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      MFI that was believe it or not Lindsey. I bought it because if we ever fancy a change it can be painted.

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  2. Lorna Gleadell on FB
    No problem, good job !!

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  3. Bernadette Doyle on FB
    Why do you hate oil?

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    Replies
    1. Andrew Height on FB
      I hate oil because it needs doing every six months and if you don't do it the wood rots Bernadette. I hate the look of varnish too. Polyvine gives you the look of waxed surfaces but is a complete water resistant varnish. No more oiling for me.

      Delete
  4. Lissa Tam on FB
    Great, I'll mention it to chicken! X

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  5. Tricia Kitt on FB
    looks pretty damn gorgeous Andi - any tips for granite?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Don't buy granite. Was lemon juice from the G and T's the culprit Trish? ;-)You could try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWmC-B1cNAg

      Stone Pro: Granite Restoration
      Rob from StonePro demonstrates how you can restore Granite counter tops. There is NOTHING you...
      YOUTUBE.COM

      Delete
    2. Tricia Kitt
      tomatoes actually!

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    3. Andrew Height
      Yep, full of acid.

      Delete