ANSWER: 3 coats on the flat surface of a high grade Danish wood oil will make most tops thoroughly water repellent and provide a tough durable preparation work surface. 5 coats on the edges and cut outs particularly the sink area will further protect these more exposed areas. Further coats on the flat surfaces will only serve to increase protection and enhance the character and the grain of the wood. The benefit of this is more evident on character woods such as Rustic Beech, Iroko, European& African Walnut and solid oak. To maintain your tops ongoing, you can set yourself a 3 monthly regime or you could of course just use your eye as the judge as the area that requires re-oiling will have lost its sheen effect and become matt in appearance. These areas are usually sun spots and hot spots ie, where the sun is more focused on a particular Area, or around a cooking appliance, at the back above fridge & freezers, at the front above dishwashers, below kettles & toasters etc.