Care for your Worktop
Fixing Instruction - STAG Worktops are conditioned to between 7-9% moisture content. This is ideal for areas at normal room temperatures and humidity. Major alterations in the room humidity may affect dimensional changes in natural wood products, which could cause a worktop to develop a slight curve, and small cracks in the wood may occur. The tops should be installed as soon as possible after delivery. All fitting instructions should be followed carefully, as complaints arising as a result of faulty installation cannot be accepted.
Before Installation - Priming : It is important to saturate all cut edges and bare surfaces with 2-3 liberal coats of Danish Oil prior to installing the top. (You could use an alternative finish such as a plastis coating - see below.) Wipe away all surplus oil with a clean dry cloth after 30 minutes. It is equally important to apply a generous coat of oil to the undersid of the worktop before installation. Allow the oil to dry completely before attempting to install the worktop - the worktop can be installed after 2-3 hours. We recommend that you follow the Oil manufacturers instructions - Rustins is one such manufacturer, but your finishing supplier may recommend and alternative. Finishing : After installation the surface and all the invisible edges should be sanded with fine sandpaper (180 grit or finer). Sand in the direction of the staves and remove the sanding dust carefully with a vacuum cleaner. Then oil should be rubbed into the wood, always working in the direction of the staves, until a uniform colour is achieved. Repeat the treatment after 6-8 hours. The STAG Worktops are ready for use 24 hours after ther final coating.
There are alternatives to traditional oil finish which you may find preferable One option is Rustin's plastic coating which can be supplied in Matt finish which will enhance your kitchen and protect the surface. For details check the web site at www.rustins.co.uk
There are many products on the market and we do not recommend any one of them as being better than another. The products detailed here are just an example of what is available and you can compare their capabilities to satisfy your taste or use. Liberon can supply a Danish Oil. Your carpenter or builder may be able to recommend alternatives.
Maintenance : Should the oil-treated surface become dirty or lifeless in the course of time, it can be simply revived by scouring the surface with a green nylon pad dipped in oil, remembering to wipe away any surplus oil with a clean dry cloth, If the surface is looking dry apply a thin coat of oil. Wipe off the surplus oil within 30 minutesand rub the surface dry, lint-free cloth. Surplus oil left to dry on the surface will give the wood a patchy appearance. Important : Never use steel for sanding STAG Worktops, since any metal fragments remaining may cause discolouration when exposed to moisture later. Use either a green nylon-scouring pad or alternatively fine sandpaper (180 grit or finer) and always sand in the direction of the staves. Apply oil to the sanded area, following the instructions for Priming and Finishing Treatments. Spot Repair : Oil can be applied to the sanded patch, until it is saturated. After 30-45 minutes the surplus oil is carefully wiped away with a dry, clean cloth. This treatment is repeated until the repaired area matches in with the surrounding surface. To finish, apply a thin coat of oil over the entire surface.
Important Notice : 1. STAG Worktops should be kept indoors in a dry room and inside the original packaging until ready for use. 2. The area where the tops are to be fitted should be at normal room temperature, i.e. approximately 20C and 60% relative humidity. Do not unpack the worktop unless conditions are suitable and liable to remain stable. 3. When fixing to a carcass wthout a top, use angled fixing brackets with oblong screw holes at the rear of the unit to accomodate any slight movement in the worktop.Leave a 4-5mm gap against walls and fixed points to allow for expansion. On carcass units with fixed tops, oblong screw holes must be made at the rear of the top of the unit. The Worktopshould then be fitted using round-headed wood screws with washers to allow for movement. 4. Before installation it is essential to treat all surfaces and edges (including the underside of the worktop) with oil. 5. Around the sinks, hotplates and pipes, allow a 10mm gap and insulate the edges with moisture/heat barrier. 6. Edges and surfaces adjacent to built in kitchen appliances should be isolated by an air gap of minimum 20mm and faced with a moisture/heat barrier. 7. When joining worktops together, rout a groove in the edge of both worktops and join them together using a false tongue. For extra strength install 2 worktop jointing bolts into recessed holes on the underside of the worktop and draw them together using an Allen Key. 8. STAG Worktops provide beautiful work surfaces that will last for years, providing regular maintenance is carried out.
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