How to Repair a Cracked Wooden Cutting Board
Wooden cutting boards are versatile kitchen tools used to protect counter tops and tables from knife blades. With proper care, wooden cutting boards will last for many years before they must be replaced. Occasionally, a wooden board will develop a crack, which is typically caused by exposure to excess moisture. While an unsightly crack in the wood is disheartening, you can repair it with common woodworking supplies. Repairing the crack prevents bacteria from seeping into it and contaminating food. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Painter's tape
- Epoxy glue
- Paint brush
- Vice clamps
- Putty knife
- 200 grit sandpaper
- Paper towels
- Walnut or peanut oil
Instructions
-
-
1
Set the wooden cutting board in a warm, dry location and leave it for up to two weeks. Since most cracks are caused by excess water, this allows the water to evaporate, which makes the repair easier.
-
2
Lay the cutting board on top of a piece of newspaper. Place painter's tape around the perimeter of the entire crack to prevent glue from getting onto any undamaged portion of the wood.
-
-
3
Dip a paint brush into a container of clear epoxy glue and brush it over the top of the cracked area a little at a time until it drips down into the crack. Lift the edge of the cutting board and allow it to drop on the table three to four times to speed the process.
-
4
Clamp one edge of the cutting board to a table using a vice clamp. Push the other edge of the cutting board toward the vice clamp using your hands until the cracked area is tightly compressed.
-
5
Insert another vice clamp on the same edge of the cutting board, but on the opposite side of the crack. Secure the clamp to the table to hold the crack together tightly.
-
6
Wait 24 hours and remove the clamps and painter's tape. Scrape the surface of the wooden cutting board with a putty knife to remove the excess epoxy from the top of it.
-
7
Sand the repaired area with a fine-grit sandpaper, such as 200, just until the cracked area is no longer visible.
-
8
Apply 1 tbsp. of walnut or peanut oil to a paper towel or rag and wipe the entire surface of the cutting board, paying special attention to the repaired areas. Wipe the board with a clean towel until it is no longer greasy.
-
1
