Wood – Refinishing chop block counter top

kitchen-sinkpolyurethanevarnishingwoodworking

I have bought my first house. I am DIYing my kitchen renovation. I have chop block countertops from IKEA and an undermount stainless steel kitchen sink. I know its not wise to undermount with a wood countertop but my mom has a similar set up and it has looked great for the past 15 years.

I want to protect the countertop. I am using the Varathane Polyurethane for the first time "Matte Interior" applying with a Wooster Pro brush

I have been reading everyones comments on procedures etc.

Two questions:

Have I made a mistake using a water based Polyurethane?

How do I know when to dry sand VS wet sand?

I live in Florida so I have been paying attention to humidity and sanding in-between coats with 3M 400 and 1500. I am 4 applications in at the moment

I am only half way into my project and did not realize there was two kinds of polyurethane. I guess I'm only a day late and a few dollars short at this point:)

Best Answer

In my own opinion I don't think that the owner of this top has figured out how is he/she going to use this top. If he /she are going to use it as it was intended, as a butcher block top, then a poly coat would flake off in time. But a regular coating of mineral oil, not vegetable oil, would be suffice. Vegetable oil would turn rancid.