How to Refinish a Kitchen Cutting Board
- 1). Hold the sharp edge of a metal scraper at a 45-degree angle at the surface of the block. Push the scraper away from your body to remove any stuck on food and other particles.
- 2). Attach a coarse grit sanding disc to the orbital sander. Move the sander across the surface of the wood. Sand enough of the top layer of wood to remove the scratches and stains. Sand the entire cutting board. Avoid holding the sander over on one spot or scratch as this will cause the cutting board to be uneven.
- 3). Switch to medium grit paper and sand again. Continue to switch the paper to finer and finer grits until you have the finish that you desire. Wipe away sanding dust with a damp rag.
- 4). Mix one part paraffin with four parts mineral oil. Fill any cracks in the cutting board with the mixture. Overfill each crack slightly so the mixture overflows the crack. Scrape off any excess wax with a metal scraper.
- 5). Combine a small amount of dish washing soap and warm water. Saturate a sponge with the mixture and wipe the cutting board with the soapy water. Rinse the board with clean water. Dry with a towel.
- 6). Dip a soft cloth or t-shirt in mineral oil. Rub the mineral oil into the wood. Let the oil soak into the wood overnight.
- 7). Rub beeswax into the cutting board with a soft cloth. Buff the board with a clean, dry cloth. Beeswax will seal and protect the board from bacteria and moisture.
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