Finish a Butcher Block Countertop: 120–320 Grit Sanding Plan for a Food-Safe Oil Finish

Butcher block looks best when it’s flat, scratch-free, and prepped to absorb oil evenly. This workflow uses a tight grit progression and light pressure so you avoid low spots, fuzzy grain, and blotchy color.

Before You Start

• Remove appliances and mask sinks/walls. Vacuum the surface and inspect under a raking light.
• Use a soft foam interface pad to keep pressure even; hand-sand edges and cutouts.
• Work dry. Save any damp wipe for dust pickup and optional grain-raising.

Grit Progression (Dry Sand)

• 120 grit — level mill marks, scratches, and glue lines.
• 180 grit — refine the surface and remove 120 lines.
• 220 grit — establish a uniform scratch pattern for even oil absorption.
• 320 grit — quick final pass for a silky feel without sealing the pores.

Step-by-Step

1. Block the field at 120. Keep the pad flat and move in slow, overlapping passes with the grain. Stop once glue lines and chatter are gone.
2. Refine at 180. Change stroke direction (lengthwise to diagonal) to reveal leftover 120 scratches; remove them fully before moving on.
3. Unify at 220. Light pressure only. Pencil guide squiggles help confirm you’ve hit the whole surface evenly.
4. Optional grain-raise. Lightly mist with water, let dry, then kiss with 220 again to knock down raised fibers.
5. Final feel at 320. One or two quick passes for a smooth touch—don’t over-polish.
6. Clean & oil. Vacuum, wipe with a barely damp microfiber, then apply food-safe oil in thin coats, wiping off excess. Recoat as needed.

Pro Tips

• Edges last: hand-sand perimeters with a small block to keep corners crisp.
• Replace sheets often—dull paper burnishes instead of cutting, which can cause blotchy oil uptake.
• Between oil coats, a gentle de-nib with 320 keeps the surface silky.

What to Buy (embedded picks)

For fast flattening without gouging, start with Grit 120 — 25 Pack. Refine to an even scratch pattern with Grit 220 — 25 Pack, and keep Grit 320 — 50 Pack on hand for quick de-nibbing between oil coats.

Watch & Learn

Result: A flat, silky butcher block that absorbs oil evenly and resists fuzzing—ready for daily use.