15th

May

Natural wood finishes

Although in these modern times, most wood finishes available in stores are synthetic based, meaning they have been expertly formulated using various chemicals that are tried and tested to resist specific fungal attack. And these also have the ability to resist damaging UV rays.

What I would like to concentrate here is on the old fashioned, tried and tested, and often-cheaper alternatives. Wax and oils. These have been around for decades, and when used correctly, they can really bring out the true beauty of the grain, and can also give your furniture reasonable protection. I also like applying these natural oils, as there’s a feeling of euphoria as you reminisce of how your ancestors once finished their furniture, and that are now your antiques.

Oil products

Probably the most widely used of the oil family would be Linseed oil. This is a clear yellowish oil that is also known as Flax seed oil. It is made from cold pressing the seeds from the flax plant. Linseed oil is readily available from your local hardware store, and sometimes you may find it in the local supermarket.

It can be applied directly from the bottle onto the furniture by way of a rag. I always apply oils with a rag, or pad, never a brush. Brushing tends to leave streaks on the surface, and looks unsightly. Linseed oil upon application will harden and dry when exposed to the air. For those of you who like the sport of cricket, you’ll be interested to know that cricket bats are soaked, and left in Linseed oil before use.

Other oils to consider are, sunflower, poppy seed, soybean, and walnut. Another great oil would be Tung oil. This is pressed from the seeds of the Tung tree. It has very similar qualities to Linseed oil. Upon drying, it produces a very tough, and an extremely water resistant seal. Whereas Linseed will darken with age, Tung oil will remain a slight golden color.

Tung oil has been around for centuries and has been a great favorite of the Chinese who found use for it on marine timbers and masonry.

Wax products.

The obvious and most common of these would be Bees Wax. This is produced as the name suggests by bees. This wax dries to a hard coat, but needs several consistent applications over time to help in protecting the furniture. It is very easy to apply and will give lasting protection. It’s also impervious to water spills, making it a very natural choice.

Other waxes to consider are, paraffin wax, and carnauba wax. Carnauba wax is taken from the leaves of the Carnauba palm. The leaves are collected and beaten to loosen the wax. This leaves a very hard surface when applied. When mixing with bees wax, the finish is even better. You may also be interested to find that carnauba wax is the main ingredient of surfboard wax.

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Information | Bob, May 15, 2009 7:11 pm

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