Re-coating Waterlox countertop

9 years ago

Hello everyone! This is my first time posting here. I should begin with saying thank you for all of the wonderful information you all so freely share. You were such a tremendous help when we remodeled our kitchen 2.5 years ago.

When we remodels we had a white oak countertop built for our island. It's not butcher block style but farmhouse table style. We had a coat of Minwax dark walnut stain applied topped with 2 coats of the Original Waterlox sealer.

It has held up beautifully but it's time for a recoat. There are a few areas that have lightened dramatically in color. Most of the counter still repels water so I know that there is still a layer of Waterlox there and it isn't down to bare wood. Everything that I have read says that you can put stain in the first coat of Waterlox but I don't see anything about adding stain to subsequent coats.

Is there a reason for this? Is it dangerous to the finish setting up or just pointless? The wood didn't take the stain evenly in a beautiful way originally but I would like to even it out some if I can. So if I can't add it to the Waterlox can I just rub it on? Or should I just recoat and move on?

Also, I can't find true TSP, just TSP cleaner. Would it be okay to wipe it down with mineral spirits before re-coating?

Thanks so much

Comments (4)

neitsdelf
9 years ago
TSP *is* a cleaner, so even if it's labeled "heavy duty cleaner" or somesuch, it's still the TSP people are referring to. Check the label or MSDS data sheet if you have any concerns. Home Depot carries it.

The uneven staining you mention from your first finishing is called blotching. There is a lot of information about this, here on GW and elsewhere. Below is a link to the first thread I found (without looking hard); you may or may not find it helpful.

Andy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blotchy Stain
bbtrix
9 years ago
I can't imagine adding stain unless it was sanded to bare wood. With only two coats of waterlox applied, I would sand the entire surface to bare wood, stain, then apply four coats of Waterlox, following their instructions. Their website has a lot of useful info as well as google searches and YouTube videos for self help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Waterlox FAQs
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bbtrix
9 years ago
Not sure if you perused the Waterlox site, but I've linked the instructions specifically for countertops which answers your questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Waterlox Countertop Guide
nancyocean
9 years ago
I have waterlox on my floor, and yes, you can touch up spots with the stain. Brush some stain on, let sit for 10 minutes or so and wipe off, it will come off completely where waterlox is still on the wood, but it will soak in to the bare wood. After that has dried, (read the can), touch up the area with waterlox, after that is dry, you can go over the whole thing with waterlox. Also, I agree with bbtrix, go to the waterlox site, or you can even call them. You can add stain to a can of waterlox, but only so much, so not sure how much of an effect you would get. Waterlox darkens the wood with each coat as it's turns a rich amber color. I think they sell some Waterlox with a stain in it, but I haven't tried it.