Finishing advice needed

[ellmoe]

  Have neighbors that just had a butcher block counter top counter tops installed in their kitchen. It is supposed to be teak. If it is , it looks like it is second growth , all close to the pith , wide growth rings , no color. Anyway , the finish is coming off with light cleaning , the installers have been of no help . They want to strip counter tops down and refinish. The wife ( boss ) is interested in an oil type finish that she can just reapply , husband is desiring more of a bar top epoxy . This is a " working " countertop , will be subject to normal use , not just a show piece. Being the local "wood guy " , I am supposed to know everything wood related. I . of course ,  insured that I do , but need time to access my vast store of knowledge. I can't be expected to recall everything on demand!  ;D  So I am now accessing my vast knowledge base ! Fortunately , my neighbor , is a smart guy , but " offline" . I can get all the credit and maintain my status as the " wood guy ". Can you'all " throw me a bone " ? Thanks.

[muggs]

I have built a lot of chopping blocks. I have always used a mixture of mineral oil and bees wax. Worked for me.

[LeeB]

I've never worked with teak but it seems I remember reading that it has to be wiped with acetone before finishing to remove the natural oils. Could be why the applied finish is failing.

[WLC]

Never worked with teak, but like Muggs, I also use a mineral oil and beeswax finish for food safe stuff.  I mostly turn wooden bowls and use it when it is going to be used instead of just displayed.

[Dan_Shade]

I found an article:  https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-species-3/teak

It's an interesting read:

"



Finishing teak poses the most difficulty. The wood doesn't take stain exceptionally well, and traditional clear finishes (except lacquer) can be a problem. For instance, regular polyurethane won't set up. But two-part polyurethane, the type for marine use, will. That's why teak is frequently coated with a penetrating oil, such as tung or teak."

[ellmoe]

Thanks for the responses guys , and the extra effort Dan. I'll check the article out.

[69bronco]

Oil/wax would be my choice also. All I use on boards,bowls and counters. If you don't want to fool with mixing there are products available, board butter or something like that. Epoxy would be pretty for a little while, till you started working on it. Another nice feature with the oil/wax is if you get a burn/cut/blemish you can sand it out and put more on the spot without refinishing.

[WDH]

100% pure tung oil.  Here is some info and a source for the oil.  Don't use the "tung oil finish" that you can find locally as it has very little actual tung oil in it.

100% Pure Tung Oil Wood Finish & Protection - Non-Toxic Wood Oil

[ellmoe]

Thanks again , guys , and for the website, Danny. Merry Christmas , all!