<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">We use butcher block oil, which is a food grade mineral oil, on butcher blocks and cutting boards. Available from places like Lee valley. Don't care for Tung oil in the kitchen: if a coating type finish is preferred we go to a poly typically. <div>BTW sanding sealers, or pre-stain sealers, are designed to even out finish over porous woods like pine. </div><div>In the U.S. I prefer General Finishes products, but it's tough to get up here in B.C. Some times I resort to smuggling..</div><div><br></div><div>Chris</div><div>TimberGuides</div><div><br><div><div>On 2010-10-25, at 9:20 AM, JOHN SALMEN wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region">
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City">
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place">
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street">
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address">
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--a:link
{mso-style-priority:99;}
span.MSOHYPERLINK
{mso-style-priority:99;}
a:visited
{mso-style-priority:99;}
span.MSOHYPERLINKFOLLOWED
{mso-style-priority:99;}
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Gill Sans MT";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 1 4 2 2 3;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoAutoSig, li.MsoAutoSig, div.MsoAutoSig
{margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:#1F497D;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<div lang="EN-CA" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Tung oil is the hardest drying oil out
there and can be purchased and used as a raw ‘pure’ product. Though
it is marketed (lee valley) as a food safe (pure oil only) technically it is
still a toxic substance until it has reacted sufficiently with oxygen and
sunlight to cure (about 7 days). As a raw product it is put in very thin coats
with 4-8hrs drying between – needing as many as 6 coats to provide a
decent sacrificial surface. It is virtually waterproof and hard and has a matte
finish – can be powerbuffed to a dull sheen. Very easy to repair and
renew by simply sanding an area and wiping on more oil – blends easily.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">If you want a shiny surface with tung it
needs to be a polymerized oil (usually through heat – but often with
metal driers and resins added) and the marketed versions of that usually are also
usually diluted with a solvent. So commercially this type of product is a
little more unknown. You can make your own by simply placing a dish of oil in
the sun for a few days then dilute with a clean thinner (pure turp or citrus –
pure turp has less potential for allergic reactions).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Other drying oils suitable for food
surfaces are walnut oil, sunflower and safflower oil (typically oils with a low
acid value). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Stone and concrete are porous and people
get pretty annoyed at how bad they can look after a while and/or the amount of
maintenance needed. I like the look of deteriorating stone but I am a minority.
Most all readily available (or affective) stone sealers are silicone based
usually with a solvent that allows for some penetration. Top sealers (acrylic)
are also used but they are sacrificial and subsequently have to be stripped to
be renewed. I have had success with magnesium silicate in a liquid preparation
as a top sealer for concrete and have also used tung oil. Basic pure carnuba
wax is decent sacrificial alternative to acrylic as a sacrificial surface –
but care has to be taken with cleaning and waxing to not trap moisture and
soaps.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">Finishes are about providing both a sacrificial
surface that will hopefully trap a staining material (before it stains) and
allow a material to wear evenly – they are also a look. First off
determine the ‘look’ you want. If you want it bright and shiny –
question your reasons as you are demanding more of the finish and more finish
to achieve that over time. Also you don’t want the finish to add to the
chemical soup – more durability typically means more toxicity.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy">John<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div><p class="MsoAutoSig"><u><font size="3" color="green" face="Gill Sans MT"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT";color:green">JOHN SALMEN
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p><p class="MsoAutoSig"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><i><font size="2" color="black" face="Gill Sans MT"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Gill Sans MT";color:black;font-style:italic">4465 UPHILL RD</span></font></i></st1:address></st1:street><i><font size="2" color="black" face="Gill Sans MT"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Gill Sans MT";color:black;font-style:italic">,. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">DUNCAN</st1:place></st1:city>, B.C. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CANADA</st1:place></st1:country-region>, V9L 6M7<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoAutoSig"><i><font size="2" color="black" face="Gill Sans MT"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT";color:black;font-style:italic">PH
250 748 7672 FAX 250 748 7612 CELL 250 246 8541<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoAutoSig"><st1:personname w:st="on"><i><font size="2" color="black" face="Gill Sans MT"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT";
color:black;font-style:italic"><a href="mailto:terrain@shaw.ca">terrain@shaw.ca</a></span></font></i></st1:personname><i><font size="2" color="black" face="Gill Sans MT"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Gill Sans MT";color:black;font-style:italic"><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center" tabindex="-1">
</span></font></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold">From:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">
Melissa Andron [mailto:melissa@realmdesignstudio.com] <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> October 25, 2010 3:38 AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> 'Alan Abrams'; 'JOHN SALMEN'<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> 'Chris Koehn';
<a href="mailto:Greenbuilding@bioenergylists.org">Greenbuilding@bioenergylists.org</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> [Greenbuilding] FINISHES
for MDF vs Particleboard vs Whatever</span></font><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D">Alan, what are you
(and others) using to finish/seal these wood countertops? What have you
had successes with? Failures? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D">I realize that a
client’s priorities dictate what we’re able to use—a client
with chemical sensitivities may require a very different finish (or even
material) than a client who does not have this issue and prioritizes longevity
over all else. There was a time in my life where the former was a
requirement for ME based on my health, but now, after many years, I’m in
much better health—and would be more likely to choose something that
might offgas a bit (and preferably allow it to do this in my garage/workshop
for some time!) but would last indefinitely (just as sustainable an option, in
my book, if it doesn’t have to be replaced for a much longer time).
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D">Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D">Melissa (Andron)
Walter, LEED AP, GreenAP, Allied Member ASID<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#009900" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#009900">realm design studio,
inc.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D">sustainable interior
design<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D">919.649.2384<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D"><a href="http://www.realmdesignstudio.com">www.realmdesignstudio.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D;font-style:italic">or
see us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1167158862#!/pages/Chapel-Hill-NC/Realm-Design-Studio/59661343019?ref=ts&__a=15&ajaxpipe=1">Facebook!</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D;font-style:italic">member:
<a href="http://www.hbadoc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=57">Green
Homebuilders of the Triangle</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#1f497d" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold">From:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma">
<a href="mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org">greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org</a>
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org] <b><span style="font-weight:bold">On Behalf Of </span></b>Alan Abrams<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Monday, October 25, 2010
6:18 AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> JOHN SALMEN<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> Chris Koehn;
<a href="mailto:Greenbuilding@bioenergylists.org">Greenbuilding@bioenergylists.org</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Greenbuilding] MDF
vs Particleboard vs Whatever<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt">Nothing like wood for counters. When I can sell
it, we're using urban harvest black walnut, which is as beautiful as it is
stable (I have a walnut vanity top with an undermount sink, made as an
durability experiment. after four years of daily exposure to water, it is
in great shape. <br>
<br>
We did a large portion of a kitchen with urban harvest mulberry--also dense,
fairly stable, and unexpectedly beautiful. As I've mentioned before,
there are at least three sets of high grade white pine counters still in
service that I made in the early 80's--one of which housing a sink.<br>
<br>
regrettably, I have ripped out countless proprietary (Bally or similar) maple
butcher block counters that were severely warped and delaminated.<br>
<br clear="all">
<b><font color="#006600"><span style="color:#006600;font-weight:bold">Alan
Abrams<br>
Abrams Design Build LLC</span></font></b><font color="#006600"><span style="color:#006600"><br>
<i><span style="font-style:italic">A sustainable approach to beautiful space</span></i><br>
</span></font></span></font><font size="1" color="#006600"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.5pt;color:#006600"><a href="mailto:alan@abramsdesignbuild.com" target="_blank"><font color="#3333ff"><span style="color:#3333FF">alan@abramsdesignbuild.com</span></font></a></span></font><font size="1" color="#3333ff"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.5pt;color:#3333FF"><br>
</span></font><font size="1" color="#006600"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:
7.5pt;color:#006600"><a href="http://www.abramsdesignbuild.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#3333ff"><span style="color:#3333FF">www.abramsdesignbuild.com</span></font></a><br>
</span></font><b><font size="2" color="#006600"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#006600;font-weight:bold">202-726-5894 o<br>
202-437-8583 c<br>
202-291-0626 f</span></font></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6.0pt;
margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy"> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy">Butcher block is a good counter surface for dry areas that can be
used well and refinished as needed.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></div><br></div></body></html>