Replies

1. 
   mepmalahon | May 06, 2007 07:46pm | #1

   Yeah, it's great for those projects where you need little or no durability out of your finish and don't mind waiting for two months for the smell to subside.

2. 
   user-83153 | May 06, 2007 08:11pm | #2

   knothole,

     What's sold as Danish oil is either an oil/varnish blend or a wiping varnish. The Danes aren't any oilier than any other nationality, and really can't afford to give up the oil that they have. The wiping varnish can be built up to form a protective coating but is cheaper to make yourself. What brand is it? How much?

                  Rob

3. 
   forestgirl | May 06, 2007 08:44pm | #3

   First question:  why is it cheap?

   Danish Oil, or wiping varnish as cited above, is nice in its place.  I like it for wet-sanding.  After a week or two, a top-coat can be added for increased protection.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
4. 
   popawheelie | May 06, 2007 09:09pm | #4

   I've tried most of the wipe on oil finishes. Some have more body to them. Some dry a little faster. They all are a little different.

   The major thing I like about penetrating oil finishes is that well, they penetrate! What I mean is that they penetrate into the wood depending on how porous the wood is. It can act to displace some air in the surface area and fortify the fibers a bit.

   If you want to build on top of it with something else that should be fine.

   I've used it for sealing wood before I paint it. A lot of paints tend to sit on the surface and that is fine. But once the paint film is broken or moister form the back side moves to the surface the film can separate from the wood. Sealing the wood thoroughly can really extend the life of the paint film and the wood below.

5. 
   philip | May 06, 2007 11:09pm | #5

   In addition to the comments of others : here at least I have found that the New Zealand manufactured Danish oils seem to be a bit more than diluted varnish- possibly that may not be true in the States.
   Some timbers respond well to it-again here mild softish woods like Kauri polish very beautifully with Danish oils, especially turned things where it is easy to wet sand with fine grits.
   Don't just buy it because it is cheap-anyway I think it does not keep forever either.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   user-83153 | May 07, 2007 12:01am | #6

    Phillip,

     What specific brand are you talking about. I googled, New Zealand danish oil and the only one I could find that seemed to be manufactured in New Zealand was from a company called Natural Oils Ltd. Theres was a mix of tung oil and linseed oil with some pinewood and citrus oil thrown in. Probably to make you think you can't duplicate it yourself.

                        Rob

1. 
   knothole | May 07, 2007 01:25am | #7

   I found this Danish oil at the Habitit for Humanity outlet store in lakeland Fl. The price is 1.50 a pint. I tried some on a scrap piece of oak and it looks ok.  The only brand name that I found is Prelude.  Not a hint of where it was made.

                           Thanks for all of your input.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 07, 2007 01:57am | #8

   Prelude was the brand name for stain and Danish oil formerly used by General Finishes.  The change over to the General Finishes name was done sometime in or before 2004.  Shelf live isn't infinite, but if unopened its likely still OK. Test the drying on a hard surface. 

   Someone felt it was better to donate it than use it so you really should check it out. 

1. 
   [email protected] | May 07, 2007 11:11pm | #10

   There are several reasons it could be perfectly good, and at the thrift store.

   It was donated by my sister when she moved, and realized that she really wasn't going to finish the "finish it your self" bookcase that she just sent to the thrift store. 

   Or, the other sister that after finishing one cabinet with danish oil, decided she would paint them with bright yellow krylon spray paint instead. 

   Or, the store that used to stock the brand, but has switched to the new brand, and they sat too long on the closeout rack, and by donating them they get to write off the cost, and look like a good member of the community. 

2. 
   SteveSchoene | May 07, 2007 11:52pm | #11

   Yep, there are lots of reasons, and most wouldn't knowingly donate a defective product.  But it has been sitting around a while and is worthy of a test. 

2. 
   philip | May 07, 2007 09:54am | #9

   I am talking about WATTYLS ESTAPOL Danish Oil. There are others made here, but I favour that one . There is also Briwax Danish oil-which is not good, contrary to what one would expect.Philip Marcou