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It can take as little as 30 to 60 minutes for wood filler to dry, but some products take up to four hours. Always read labels to ensure you're following the manufacturer’s instructions. Water-based wood fillers typically take longer to dry than oil-based or epoxy-wood fillers, especially when applied to large areas or deep cracks. Wood putty won’t dry completely, remaining slightly pliable.

Wood stain remover should remove most, if not all, of that wood stain on its own. While sanding can be a great final step, especially if you’re planning to paint or restrain the wood, it isn’t always required. Following the first three steps of this process can leave you with beautiful results. 

Chalk paint can be applied without sanding first. Keep in mind that while there are a lot of chalk paint color options available, there aren’t as many choices as latex or oil-based paint.

You can also learn how to paint furniture without sanding using a liquid deglosser, sometimes referred to as liquid sandpaper. This can remove any old paint, gloss, or varnish, without the need to manually sand. Apply the deglosser using a cloth, then wait for the chemical to penetrate through the surface. Once it soaks through, you should be able to wipe away the residue with a towel. 

You can certainly seal butcher block countertops, but not permanently. Due to the nature of the materials, it will require resurfacing down the line. This is true no matter what you use to seal the countertop, including polyurethane and mineral oil. Polyurethane will last until the countertop is damaged in some way, and mineral oil should be reapplied every two to three months. To maximize the longevity of the polyurethane sealer, apply two coats.