Can I stain a maple butcher block?

Question

This butcher block will not be used for food prep. It will basically be a bar. Can I use a traditional varnish and poly?

Answer 1

Oh man.. have you gotten some random advice on this one. Of course you can stain and finish your butcher block.
Maple stains nicely. It is the most commonly used wood in furniture and cabinetry becuase of it's beauty. If the butcher block is old you will want to clean it really good before begining the staining process. I would recommend using denatured alcohol to wash the butcher block first. You will want to use a fine steel wool pad to do this. And wipe with the grain. Soak the wool in the alcohol and wash the board from end to end. Once you have washed it and it is dry (4hrs) you should use a fine (400grit) sand paper on the board. This is just abrasive enough to remove surface blemished caused from food stains. Because the board has likely had butcher block oil used on it in the past you must use an oil based stain and finish. Water won't penetrate this dense wood enough to give you even coloring. Besides oil based finishing products are denser and more durable than water (especially on table tops.) Because this will be a bar, I would prefer to use a low sheen for the finishing coat. It will resist showing scratches.
The end product should be very attractive. It won't be as refined as what you will expect from a table top. The nature of butcher block construction (the density of the wood used) will lend itself to having darker and lighter boards throughout the finished product. The darker the stain, the less it will look like a butcher block.

Answer 2

Staining Butcher Block

Answer 3

Maple is very dense and will be VERY hard to stain. I would recommend against staining it. If you are going to use it as a bar top I would suggest a good sanding, then get an epoxy decopage type of coating.

I did a restaurant in tables and a bar top covered in Sports Illustrated covers. We glued them down and used a product called Ultra-Glo. It's a two part epoxy available at craft stores. Mix it well, flow it on, let it drip off the sides. Go over the top with the flame of a propone torch to draw small air bubbles out, then belt sand the drips off the edge.

The epoxy will last FOREVER, it will yellow a bit over time, but it provides a VERY hard surface.

It will scratch some over time.

Answer 4

Butcher block should be oiled regularly to prevent things like mold. Go ahead and use bleach to remove it. If you can, set the table in the sunlight - that is the best mold remover ever! Once it is all clean use USP grade Mineral Oil to season it by wiping on the oil until the wood stops absorbing it. Then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth. Do not use olive oil or vegetable oil as these can become rancid.

Answer 5

Anyone that stains,a butcher block should be shot,
why don't you just drink the stuff, Because this what will happen every time you cut on this board,if you stain it,
your answer Is absalutely NO

Answer 6

use an oil meant to preserve the butcher block instead. you need to oil it once a month or so...
this way if you choose to change it you can always salvage that butcher block..

Answer 7

maple doesn't take stain evenly, so you might not want to do this. it will stain in blotches, it's not like pine. just so's you know. good luck.

Answer 8

Depends if it is new or not, if used, id leave it natural or use oil to season it more, may not get penitration if too much oil on it already ,if used.

If new, do as you wish!!

Answer 9

YES, if you are not going to put food on it. But I wouldn't because one of your guest might, when your not looking. Then everybody gets poisoned. Better SAFE than SORRY..........Use mineral oil, it will give a natural look.....

Answer 10

why don't you just put a sheet of clear acrylic or laminate on top of it instead then you can have a smooth surface without ruining the wood.