Cutting boards

[glennw]

I sold a 2 inch thick 20by 16 walnut cutting board to a friend of mine. The buyers girlfriend washed it the other night and the boards fibers stood up after it got wet. What's a way to fix that.

[Bill Wilson]

Not to be a smart azz, but don't wash it.  At least don't soak it in water or put it in the dishwasher.  Hand wash only.  At this point, it will need sanded/scraped to remove the raised grain.

Was there any oil or wax on the board?

[paarker]

Sand it and then oil it real good with mineral oil.

[MsNomer]

Razor blade on edge may work well.

[MichaelMouse]

By now you know that you should do three-four defuzz cycles of wet/dry/sand repeat before presenting.  Gives you the best shot at keeping the board from getting standing grain.  Even if it does, what's the problem?  Wet scrub it a few times and it will go away.  Wet, because the fibers are softer when wet. 

Bit of detergent and water wipe/rinse is all a meat board needs to stay well.  The one for anything but meat needs nothing.

[Kansas City Fireslayer]

Glenn,

You may try a combination of paraffin wax melted in MO for the finish. I put it in a mug on a coffee pot warmer. I like this much better than MO alone.

[glennw]

did  it wh mineral oil twice I guess I need to sand wet it and sand some and then give a good mineral oil rub down

[Ron Brese]

You'll never be able to overcome the carelessness of people. In the future you may want to add a tag that explains proper care. Some people are oblivious to the idea that wood and water are not a good combination.

Ron

[joe1086]

In the future you may want to add a tag that explains proper care.

Ron

This. When I made a bunch for gifts a few years back I made tags and included a bottle of mineral oil or small tub of oil/beeswax mix.

[Jlivingstone]

Just curious why anyone thinks that washing a cutting board is a bad idea.  Obviously dishwashers and soaking it are bad, but washing? Mine get washed every time they're used.