How to Apply a Mineral Oil Finish

Apply mineral oil to wood that has had paint or stain removed and is now back to its natural state. Mineral oil seals the wood from moisture and restores the original finish. Sealing a wood surface, such as a butcher block or a cabinet, will protect the wood from stains. The first step is to obtain mineral oil from your local hardware or home improvement store.

Instructions

1. Clean the wood's surface with a damp cloth.

2. Apply a small amount of mineral oil to a cloth or sponge. Wipe the mineral oil on the surface of the wood and watch it penetrate into the surface.

3. Repeat the previous step until you have completely covered the surface.

4. Remove the excess with a clean cloth.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for other wood surfaces you want to seal with mineral oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Mineral oil will not damage the wood, so you can apply as much as you want.

• Apply a topcoat of beeswax for an additional moisture barrier.

• Thoroughly clean the wood's surface before applying mineral oil to assure that the oil penetrates into the wood correctly.

References

• Refinishing a Butcher Block Top
• How To Season Cutting Boards

Resources

• Mineral Oil