Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not
so great) words of knowledge:
> So, I moved recently - upstairs. The kitchen has this built in cutting
> board which is driving me crazy.
>
> http://i44.tinypic.com/1zr2jdi.jpg
>
> I wish I could remove it. Any ideas? I think it is just attached and not
> part of the counter. The counter is Formica. I don't want to ruin my
> counter though. We won't be renovating the kitchen for a few years since
> we are just buying the house (closing next week).
>
> If anything I need to clean it somehow. Should I sand it?
>
> What is driving me most crazy is the fact that spot is where I keep my
> dish drainer and now I have to put it on the other side of the sink! The
> horrors. I know.
>
> Tracy

Take a look UNDER the counter top. There is a pretty good chance that
the board is held on to the counter with screws/washers. If it is glued
on you will have your work cut out for you removing it without tearing
up the counter top. (Best bet if it is glued on AND YOU DECIDE TO DO IT
YOURSELF, is multiple applications of acetone to loosen the glue and the
judicious use of a THIN paint scraper to remove the loosened glue.

Once you remove the cutting board you will not only be able to refinish
it easier (and with less mess), but you will be able to see what it is
covering (or is there just a hole in the counter top).

Short of replacing the Formica counter top, your cheapest option will be
to either refinish the existing cutting board or to replace it with a
new one.

If you decide to "refinish it", you will need to sand the top of the
board smooth, then seal it with several coats of MINERAL OIL.

Put a medium to heavy coat of mineral oil on, let soak in about 20
minutes, then wipe off the excess. Let dry overnite and repeat. If you
decide to refinish the board you will need about 3 coats of mineral oil
to seal the wood.

A new wood board will only need an initial medium coat of mineral oil
since they are normally pre-treated at the factory.