Gilly’s Kitchen Bench Oil is a tung-oil-based finish designed to seal, nourish, and protect timber benchtops and surfaces. Formulated with natural oils, it penetrates deep into the timber to create a hard-wearing, water-repellent finish that enhances the natural grain. Ideal for high-use areas, this oil helps protect timber from everyday wear, moisture, and spills—making it perfect for kitchen, bathroom, and laundry surfaces where durability matters. Unlike synthetic coatings, Kitchen Bench Oil contains no lacquer or silicone, allowing the timber to breathe while making maintenance simple. Scratches or wear can be easily refreshed with additional coats, without the need for sanding back the surface. Use For Kitchen benchtops and butcher blocks Bathroom and laundry benches Timber tables and cabinetry Dining tables and food-prep surfaces Window frames and interior timber joinery Application Surface Preparation Ensure the surface is clean and dry before application. D-limonene (natural citrus solvent) or a turpentine can be used for a vigorous clean. For a lighter clean, you can use an all purpose cleaner. If there is any oil, wax, grease, dirt or similar residue on the surface, it may affect the tung oil's ability to cure - so a thorough clean is important. How to Apply Rub or brush oil into the timber. Lighter coats are better. On first coat, let it sit for 5 minutes after applying. Wipe on more oil to areas that become dull, as the oil soaks in. After 5 more minutes, wipe off any excess oil with another clean cloth and rub it back vigorously. Follow this procedure for each coat. Note: Some people prefer to wet sand between coats, however this is generally only for timber that is quite porous. Apply 3 coats. Best to wait 24 hours between coats (curing time can be up to 30 days). Apply more coats if desired or necessary. Hang out any rags or soak in water, rather than leaving scrunched up, as there is the potential for combustion. Dry Time 24 hours to dry between coats. As this is tung oil based, it can take 4 weeks to completely cure. Light usage is however perfectly fine within this time. Maintenance This product is built from natural oils, in particular tung oil. This makes for a beautiful natural finish. If you do find the finish gets scratched or damaged, you can simply reapply following the same steps outlined above. There is no need to sand it back as you would have to do with lacquers, varnishes and silicon based products. For general maintenance and wear, you can assess as you see fit. We would recommend reapplying a light 1-2 coats every 6-12 months to keep your timber looking fresh! Clean Up D-Limonene or mineral turpentine. Learn more Read more about Tung Oil here.
