Wood & furniture
Restoring a wooden cutting board
Bring it back without taking too much off.
A worn cutting board is rarely beyond saving. The climb that removes the knife marks and stains while preserving as much board as possible.
The climb
The exact sequence, in order.
- 1 80
Erase deep knife marks and stains
ROS, end-grain or face-grain. Stop the moment the marks disappear.
Reach for
Mirka Gold 5-inch Hook & Loop Disc Assortment
- 2 150
Refine the surface
Same machine, lighter touch. Even passes across the whole board.
Reach for
3M Cubitron II Hookit Disc 5-inch
- 3 220
Ready for mineral oil
Hand sand with the grain. Final tack cloth wipe.
Reach for
Indasa Plusline 220-Grit 9×11 Sheets (50-pack)
Watch out for
The things that quietly ruin the job.
- ·End-grain boards take more passes than face-grain. Don't panic at slow progress.
- ·Skip the oil if it still smells of food. Sand more, then oil.
Questions people ask
The practical part.
What oil after sanding?
Food-safe mineral oil. Multiple thin coats, wiped off after 20 minutes each.
How often should I refinish?
When the surface looks gray or the oil stops absorbing — usually once a year for a board in daily use.
Keep going