Wood Finish Options
Wood finishes affect how a surface performs, ages, and is maintained. Each system offers a distinct balance of durability, repairability, and upkeep, and is selected based on the intended use of the piece.
All finishes we use are food-safe for contact. Only mineral oil and tung oil finishes are intended for direct cutting or chopping.
Finish Comparison
Compare finishes based on use, maintenance, and overall performance.
Mineral Oil
- Best suited for: Frequent chopping with ongoing maintenance
- Maintenance:
High - Repairability: Excellent
Tung Oil
- Best suited for: Chopping with reduced maintenance and visible wear
- Maintenance: Moderate
- Repairability:
Good
Rubio Monocoat™
- Best suited for:
General use
surfaces without cutting
- Maintenance:
Low - Repairability: Moderate
Impermio™
- Best suited for:
High-use or
moisture-prone environments
- Maintenance:
Minimal - Repairability: Very limited
Mineral Oil provides an easily repairable surface with higher maintenance, while Impermio creates a sealed surface with minimal upkeep and no spot repair.
How to Choose
Finish selection should be based on how the surface will be used day to day. Each system prioritizes a different balance of durability, maintenance, and repairability.
- If you plan to cut directly on the surface and want it to recover from wear through ongoing maintenance → Mineral Oil
- If you plan to cut on the surface but prefer reduced maintenance and accept visible wear with use→ Tung Oil
- If you want a low-maintenance surface for general use → Monocoat
- If durability and moisture resistance are the priority → Impermio
Finish Systems
Each finish system behaves differently. The following outlines performance, maintenance, and typical applications.
Mineral Oil
- Best suited for: Frequent chopping and active food preparation
- Maintenance: Frequent, simple reapplication
- Repairability: Spot repair is simple and easily performed with light sanding and oil reapplication
- Surface Character: Natural matte appearance with direct wood feel
- Sustainability: Petroleum-derived
Tung Oil
- Best suited for: Food preparation with reduced maintenance
- Maintenance: Periodic reapplication with cure time
- Repairability: Spot repair is possible but typically requires multiple applications and curing between coats
- Surface Character: Warm, low-sheen finish that gradually develops visible wear
- Sustainability: Plant-derived (tung tree, citrus peel solvent)
Rubio Monocoat
- Best suited for: General-use surfaces without direct cutting
- Maintenance: Low routine maintenance
- Repairability: Localized repair is possible on site, though full sanding and refinishing is recommended for best consistency
- Surface Character: Matte, natural appearance with customizable color tones
- Sustainability: Plant-based formulation with zero VOC content
Impermio
Best suited for: High-use and moisture-prone environments
Maintenance: Minimal routine maintenance
Repairability: Scratches may be visually reduced or camouflaged, but full repair typically requires professional refinishing
Surface Character: Sealed surface with increased moisture and stain resistance
Sustainability: Synthetic, film-forming finish, but HAPs-free
Appearance & Aging
Each finish affects the appearance of the wood, including color, sheen, and how the surface responds to light and use.
- Mineral Oil deepens the wood’s natural tone as it penetrates the fibers, maintaining a matte, natural appearance
- Tung Oil cures to a satin sheen and will gradually warm lighter woods through repeated application
- Monocoat provides a matte finish and allows for full color customization, with our standard selections designed to maintain a natural appearance for each wood species
- Impermio is available in a range of sheens (default matte) and includes UV inhibitors that slow, but do not prevent, color change
Care & Maintenance
Maintenance requirements vary by finish and should be considered as part of the overall design decision. Each system involves a different level of upkeep and long-term behavior.
- Mineral Oil requires frequent reapplication to maintain performance. The process is simple and can be done quickly without interrupting use.
- Tung Oil requires less frequent maintenance, but reapplication is more involved and includes cure time before the surface can be fully used again.
- Monocoat requires minimal routine maintenance but should be kept clean and protected from prolonged moisture exposure.
- Impermio requires little to no maintenance under normal use, but cannot be spot-repaired if damaged.
Unfinished Surfaces
Unfinished surfaces are available by request. These are supplied without finish and are not covered under warranty. Finishing is required after installation and should be completed within one week of receipt.
