Replies

1. 
   Ardito | Mar 01, 2005 10:37pm | #1

   strando,

   Fir or Douglas Fir is a very tough wood to finish without getting the "blotch" problem.

   However, one technique that I learned from Jeff Jewitt was to mix 7 parts Odorless Mineral Spirits with 1 part of Boiled Linseed Oil.  Wipe down your project with this mixture.  Then follow up this "homemade conditioner" with some Watco or a stain of your choice.  Once your stain/oil dries, then top coat and you are finished.

   Cheers!
   Dark Magneto

    

1. 
   SteveM | Mar 04, 2005 09:02pm | #3

   Hello,

   Saw your post and have a few questions regarding Jeff Jewitt's technique.

   Does that technique replace Minwax's Wood Conditioner?  Does it work better?  Can you use dye instead of stain?

   Thanks

   Steve Monson

1. 
   strando | Mar 04, 2005 10:08pm | #4

   Thanks for the posts. I have the same questions about the spirits & linseed oil treatments.

2. 
   Ardito | Mar 04, 2005 11:23pm | #5

   Steve,

   Yes, basically the Mineral Spirits and BLO is wood conditioner. 

   I'm not too sure about how a dye would work in place of the stain.  My thinking is that the MS and BLO are "oil" products and the dye is usually a water or alcohol based product.  I have only used a MinWax stain in conjunction with the Doug. Fir and it turned out fantastic!  I used the "Puritan Pine" color from MinWax.

   So use the MS and BLO mixture in place of your wood conditioner. 

   Cheers!Dark Magneto

1. 
   SteveM | Mar 04, 2005 11:28pm | #6

   Thank you!

   I have never used dyes before, but I want to experiment with them, so I will also experiment with this process as well.

   Thanks again

   Steve

     

1. 
   Ardito | Mar 04, 2005 11:49pm | #7

   Steve,

   Jeff Jewitt's new book is a really big help when it comes to finishing.  He goes into great detail (but not over-board) on using dyes and stains.

   I think the book is around $40, but it is well worth it.

   Best of luck!Dark Magneto

2. 
   JohnWW | Mar 03, 2005 07:03pm | #2

   If the barn was built out of locally cut and milled wood, it couldn't have been Douglas fir or yellow pine, neither grows in New England.  Without seeing the wood, this is purely a guess, but you may be working with eastern hemlock.

   John W.