Thread: danish oil

That's more or less the beat way, IMHO. It can vary slightly depending in the timber... some need a grain sealer or similar first.

But basically the way I do it is:

1. Sand the wood to final smoothness.
2. Fairly heavy first coat of DO and wet sand with same grit paper as last used. This both acts as a grain-filler and removes any raised nap.
3. Leave 10 - 30 mins, then wipe off excess.
4. Wait a minimum of 24 hours for the coat to reach a workable hardness.
5. Lightly rub down with next smaller grit of paper (or OOOO steel wool)
6. Thinly wipe on next coat... just enough to give the "wet effect."
7. Repeat steps 4 - 6 until I have depth of finish I require.

It's quite simple, really. Just a lot of waiting, but you can't rush quality.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

But basically the way I do it is:

1. Sand the wood to final smoothness.
2. Fairly heavy first coat of DO and wet sand with same grit paper as last used. This both acts as a grain-filler and removes any raised nap.
3. Leave 10 - 30 mins, then wipe off excess.
4. Wait a minimum of 24 hours for the coat to reach a workable hardness.
5. Lightly rub down with next smaller grit of paper (or OOOO steel wool)
6. Thinly wipe on next coat... just enough to give the "wet effect."
7. Repeat steps 4 - 6 until I have depth of finish I require.

It's quite simple, really. Just a lot of waiting, but you can't rush quality.

Hi Skew
Don't mean to be picky, but should that be repeat steps 3 to 6

Cheers,
Papillon

No. I only apply a thin coat in step 6, basically just wiping down with a damp rag so there's no excess to remove.

This is just what I've found, by trial 'n error, works best for me ... like anything there's probably half-a-dozen minor variations.

What they said above. +
Vic Wood said" Every dayfor a week. Every week for a month. Every month for a year. Then start again"!
(At least, I think that's what he said.)

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

No. I only apply a thin coat in step 6, basically just wiping down with a damp rag so there's no excess to remove.

This is just what I've found, by trial 'n error, works best for me ... like anything there's probably half-a-dozen minor variations.

Thanks for the clarification.
Cheers,
Papillon

Do any of you ever get "bleed back" ? I have not seen it mentioned here.

Which, is after you have applied and wiped the oil off, and are allowing the oil to cure out, were some oil will rise up out of the grains, if you do not catch the bleed back oil and wipe it dry, it will harden and create a problem in your coating.

MacS

Yes, but only with the first coat. I find it's more of a problem the longer I leave it before wiping off the excess - probably because it gives it more time to penetrate deeper into the timber.

Also, it seems to me it usually only happens with naturally oily or still slightly green timbers... but they're always a bit of a problem.

(At least, I think I know what you mean... I can't say I've ever heard it being talked about, either.)

It also occurs on opened grained woods like Oak,

I think, once it happens to you, and you are aware of it, you do check the finish more often.