Get a beautiful look and food-safe finish by using drying oil for finishing a bread board. A proper finish enhances the longevity of the wood so it easily withstands daily use in busy kitchens. When top-notch quality matters for your bread board finish, turn to food-safe drying oils made by the Real Milk Paint Co. Eco-friendly drying oils such as Pure Tung Oil and Hemp Oil offer a nontoxic way to complete your project that’s better for wood — and your health — than standard choices like food-grade mineral oil.
Understanding Bread Board Finishing
Bread board finishing requires treating the surface with oils or sealants that protect it from moisture and food particles. An improper finish may cause the wood to harbor bacteria, but a proper finish ensures your board’s durability while keeping it safe for food preparation. Food-grade finishing oils from the Real Milk Paint Co. go the extra mile with nontoxic formulations that penetrate deeply for enduring protection of the wood’s surface and end grain.
Benefits of Using Drying Oils
Unlike nondrying oils such as food-grade mineral oil and wax, drying oils used as bread board finishing oils harden with exposure to air to form a durable, flexible and water-resistant finish. These oils penetrate deeply into wood fibers to seal the surface and enhance longevity, keeping your bread board safe for food preparation. These factors — natural composition with food-grade properties, capacity for deep penetration of the surface and end grain and long-lasting protection — make drying oils the best choice for your bread board.
What Type of Finish Can You Use On a Bread Board
While many people use mineral oil for finishing a bread board, this nondrying oil doesn’t hold up as well against frequent use as all-natural drying oils like Pure Tung Oil and Hemp Oil. These drying oils provide a hard, protective layer that keeps out water and prevents damage, with reliably nontoxic formulations that are typically safer than wax or nondrying oils that may wear off and leave your bread board vulnerable to nicks and dings that may harbor bacteria.
Pure Tung Oil
Combining staying power, easy maintenance and long-term protection, nontoxic, all-natural Pure Tung Oil from the Real Milk Paint Co. offers a simple way to keep your bread boards looking and functioning their best. This deeply penetrating drying oil made from pure China wood oil offers FDA-approved food-grade protection and water resistance with a flat matte finish that never gets shiny, no matter how many times you refinish the surface. Zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the formulation means you can work with this drying oil indoors without compromising your health.
Hemp Oil
When you want a hypoallergenic finish, Hemp Oil by the Real Milk Paint Co. might just be the way to go. This all-natural bread board finishing oil polymerizes via evaporation, so it doesn’t dry out the wood surface, keeping the matte finish looking great over time, even with frequent use. Unlike Pure Tung Oil, Hemp Oil requires no dilution with solvent, so you can use it straight from the container when you want to achieve a protective finish that lasts longer than food-grade mineral oil and provides a safer surface for food preparation over the long run.
Step-by-Step Guide on How To Finish a Bread Board With Drying Oils
Use these tips for finishing a bread board with drying oils to get the best possible finish for your piece. By putting drying oils to work, you can create a fully functional addition to your kitchen that’s simple to clean and easy to touch up on occasion to maintain the food-grade surface.
Preparation
Begin finishing your bread board by cleaning the wood surface thoroughly with hot water and soap, and be sure that it doesn’t leave any residue behind. If your bread board was finished with mineral oil previously, we recommend removing this with multiple washes of hot water and soap until the mineral oil has been completely removed. Once your bread board is completely dry and free of any debris or mineral oil, you can move on to the next step. Sand the board a bit with Surfprep R.A.D. pads to increase the tooth of the surface so the drying oil you select penetrates deeply. Lastly, if you’re using Pure Tung Oil, mix it at a 1:1 ratio with Orange Oil Natural Citrus Solvent to thin it out enough for easy application. Hemp Oil doesn’t require thinning, so you can skip this step if you’re using that product.
Application of Oil
Before you apply bread board finishing oil, first grab the tools you need, such as the drying oil itself and a clean lint-free cloth and natural bristle brush for application. You may also want to turn on a fan so you have excellent ventilation during the process for safer application. Apply the first coat of bread board finishing oil generously, covering the entire surface and letting the oil penetrate deeply. When the bread board absorbs all the oil, repeat the process — more than once if necessary. Wipe off the excess when your surface stops absorbing the oil.
Curing
The curing process for drying oils works differently than with nondrying oils, requiring you to wait a bit before use to ensure polymerization occurs. One way to speed up the process is by keeping the bread board in a well-ventilated area with ample airflow. For both Pure Tung Oil and Hemp Oil, you may be able to lightly use the surface after 7 to 15 days, but for full curing and use, waiting 30 days is generally recommended to ensure a properly hardened finish.
Maintenance Tips for Finished Bread Boards
Keep your bread board in great condition by regularly cleaning it and reapplying drying oil to the surface. Avoid using harsh detergents on the surface, and don’t expose boards to prolonged moisture that may prematurely degrade the finish. Also, watch out for signs your bread board may need a fresh coat of drying oil, such as a dull, dry look or scratches on the surface that penetrate the finish.
Choose Real Milk Paint Co. Drying Oils for Your Bread Board
The Real Milk Paint Co. offers an extensive range of eco-friendly, nontoxic products perfect for finishing wood projects — bread boards and beyond. Our products provide a safe, durable finish whether you’re using Pure Tung Oil, Hemp Oil or our premixed formulations like Half & Half — a blend of Pure Tung Oil and Citrus Solvent. When you want excellent quality, long-term endurance and a beautiful look, visit our website to find the perfect finishing products for your woodworking plus high-quality milk paint for your decorative needs.
