At Armani Fine Woodworking we offer a range of food-safe finish options to suit each individual project’s needs. We encourage you to read a few short descriptions below before selecting your finish as each offers different benefits and one may suit a particular application better than another.
Mineral Oil & Organic Beeswax — Natural, Food-Safe, and Easy to Maintain
Our Mineral Oil & Organic Beeswax finish offers a natural, food-safe surface perfect for direct chopping and everyday use. This blend nourishes the wood while providing a gentle protective layer, enhancing the wood’s warmth and character.
Because mineral oil is a non-drying oil, the finish requires regular treatment to maintain its protective qualities and water repellency. We recommend using coasters and placemats to minimize residue and keep your surface looking its best.
This finish is easy to repair—stains and scratches can be sanded away and refinished to renew the beauty of your butcher block.
Pros:
Food-safe and ideal for chopping
Easy to sand and refinish
Non-yellowing and natural feel
Cons:
Requires frequent maintenance and reapplication
More prone to stains
Not recommended for sink cutouts or areas with constant water exposure
Pure Tung Oil — Natural, Food-Safe, and Long-Lasting Protection
Our Pure Tung Oil finish is a blend of 100% pure tung oil and a citrus-based solvent, both entirely plant-derived and safe for food contact as well as direct chopping. This makes it an eco-friendly, highly functional choice for wood surfaces that balances natural beauty with durability.
Unlike mineral oil, tung oil is a hardening oil, meaning it chemically bonds with the wood fibers to form a tough, water-resistant barrier that requires treatment only once every few months. This finish leaves your wood with a natural, matte sheen that enhances the grain without masking its character. However, be
Because this finish cures slowly (up to 30 days) and doesn’t penetrate as deeply as some oils, it may show knife marks and wear more easily—especially on surfaces used frequently for chopping. While it is safe for cutting, tung oil won’t “self-heal” the way some softer oil finishes do, so any marks will accumulate and may require light sanding and refinishing over time.
Pros:
100% plant-based and food-safe once fully cured
Self-hardening finish that bonds deeply with the wood
Non-yellowing with a natural matte look
Environmentally friendly and sustainable
Cons:
Longer curing time (up to 30 days)
Susceptible to water rings and stains if not maintained
May show knife marks more visibly
Requires multiple coats for retreatment
Initial citrus odor from natural solvent
Rubio’s Hard-Wax Monocoat — Natural, Sustainable, and Water-Resistant
Rubio’s Hard-Wax Monocoat is a plant-based, sustainable, and VOC-free hardening oil that highlights the natural beauty of your wood with a thin, matte, and water-resistant finish. It’s an excellent choice if you want a finish that looks as natural as possible without the frequent upkeep required by traditional oils.
Monocoat is safe for food contact once fully cured, though it is not designed for direct chopping. It offers reliable protection against stains and spills and can be easily spot-repaired if damage occurs over time.
Pros:
Plant-based, sustainable, and VOC-free
Maintains the natural look and feel of wood
Safe for food contact after curing
Easy to refinish and apply in-house
Cons:
Not suitable as a cutting surface
Requires occasional maintenance near sinks
Provides limited water and stain resistance (around 3 hours on a well-maintained surface)
May need refinishing after several years of regular use
Impermio™ Polyurethane — Durable, Protective, and HAPs-Free
Our Impermio polyurethane is engineered to provide the ultimate protection for your wood countertops. It shields the wood from water damage, stains, and harmful UV light, helping maintain the beauty and integrity of your surface for years to come.
We use a subtle matte sheen that preserves the natural look and feel of the wood, though other sheens may be available upon request.
Importantly, Impermio is HAPS-free—meaning it contains no isocyanates, formaldehyde, or aromatic solvents—making it a safer choice for your home and the environment.
While Impermio offers top ratings for scratch and chemical resistance, it’s important to note that if the finish is damaged, repairs require complete sanding and refinishing off-site, as the film finish is not easily spot-repaired.
Pros:
Superior protection against water, stains, and UV-induced color changes
Low maintenance and easy to clean
Safe for food contact
Cons:
Slightly reduces the natural wood feel
Not suitable as a cutting surface
Repairs require full sanding and off-site refinishing
Unfinished — Ready for Your Own Finish, Prepped and Sanded
Choosing the Unfinished option means we complete all shaping, joinery, and sanding so your piece arrives ready to receive a finish on site. This is a good option if you plan to apply your own custom finish or match an existing surface.
Please note: unless specifically requested, we do not “pop the grain” (raise the grain with water) — a step that may be required if you intend to use a water-based finish.
It’s important to understand that wood cannot remain unfinished. This option assumes you’ll apply a finish shortly after receiving your piece to protect it from moisture, movement, and wear.
⚠️ Unfinished pieces are not covered under warranty.⚠️
Our Finishes At a Glance
| Mineral Oil and Beeswax | Pure Tung Oil | Rubio Hard-Wax Monocoat | Impermio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Contact | Yes | Yes(after cure) | Yes (after cure) | Yes |
| Chopping Safe | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Water Resistance | Fair | Moderate | Moderate (short exposure) | Excellent |
| Maintenance | High (frequent upkeep) | Moderate (few times per year) | Occasional maintenance | Very low |
| Repairability | Very easy (sand and reapply) | Easy (sand and reapply) | Spot-repairable | Difficult (off-site refinishing) |
| Look and Sheen | Soft matte, natural feel | Matte, natural tone | Matte, natural look | Dull sheen, natural appearance |
| Notes | Not ideal near sinks; most forgiving finish | Long cure time; may show knife marks | VOC-free; not ideal for high-moisture areas | HAPS-free; strongest protection against water and stains |