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| NATURAL WOOD AND OIL FINISHES |
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| Oil is a popular finish for woods and can be applied using a brush or a cloth, spreading very easily across the surface. There is a selection of oils, including teak oil for external garden furniture and danish oil for interior furniture and woodwork. Oils tend to slightly darken wood, especially lighter woods such as pine, giving a ‘rich’ finish. Oil can be applied to bare wood and previously dyed wood, but not material that has been varnished or waxed. With previously dyed wood, test a small area first. When dealing with wood that already has a finish, the surface has to be carefully prepared. Varnish can be sanded away and a wax finish can be removed with white spirit. |
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| DANISH OIL |
| Danish oil is a mixture of thinned oil and varnish. The oil is usually tung oil, also called Chinese oil (oil ground from nuts found in Asia and South America). The oil penetrates the wood fibres, whilst the varnish leaves a layer on the surface, offering some protection against spills, knocks and scratches. It gives a natural glaze to wood and is a good choice for kitchen worktops or surfaces being used for food preparation, as it is a safe choice. Danish oil is water resistant and consequently can be used on external woodwork and furniture. |
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| When applying oil, ensure that the surface has been prepared. Then, apply with a cloth or brush in the direction of the grain, removing excess oil. For a silky look, sand the surface (fine abrasive or wire wool) after the first coat of oil. A slightly abrasive pad, can also be used between coats. New wood should be oiled three times, leaving a number of hours between each coat. It is worth noting, that danish oil can be thinned with white spirit, which allows the oil to penetrate further into the surface. Wood finished with danish oil, is ready for use after about 48 hours. |
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| Over time, the finish will need a little replenishing with wipe of a cloth soaked with danish oil, as it will slowly lose it’s silky lustre. |
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TEAK OIL
Teak oil (a blend of solvents and linseed oil) is for exterior woodwork and especially garden furniture. It is a sealer, a preserver and a finish, all in one, penetrating deep into the surface. It is applied to wood with a brush and replenishes the wood’s natural oils. It waterproofs and nourishes and protects the wood. However, it needs reapplying every three to six months, in order to maintain it’s protective qualities. Teak oil can be applied as a natural colour or dyed versions are available. |
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