Replies

1. 
   Pondfish | Nov 22, 2005 03:10pm | #1

   BLO is a film-forming finish; you need to remove the film from the work.  Wipe off what you can; using a rag with mineral spirits will help some, depending on how long the oil has cured.  If that isn't enough, wait a couple weeks to let the finish harden more, then sand it off.  This is messy (your paper will clog frequently).

   After these steps, your work may still bleed out excess oil for a while.  Watch for it and wipe it as it appears.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
2. 
   HowardAcheson | Nov 22, 2005 07:50pm | #2

   The best way to remove the BLO is to use mineral spirits and 3/0 steel wool.  Wet the surface and rub with the steel wool in the direction of the grain.  Then wipe the surface dry with lots of paper towels.  Let the surface completely dry before applying more finish.

   Linseed oil never really "dries" or "cures".  It polymerizes into a sort of soft film when it is left on a surface.  The same thing happens with the linseed oil that penetrates into the wood.  It's just you can't feel the gumminess.

   Howie.........
3. 
   rbarlow | Nov 23, 2005 11:50pm | #3

   thank you for the info i will try the mineral spirits.  I am builing a shelf out of rock maple and mahagony and read somewhere to sand the BLO into the wood to fill pores so I tried this method and I thought it said not to wipe off but to let dry and do it again well that is what I did on the mahagony but not the maple.  the maple I wiped off after I was done sanding and it looks great but the mahagony is gummy and I can scratch it away with a fingernail still after more than two weeks drying.  So I tried to wipe off with denatured alc with limited success.   Still learning as you can tell forums like this really help alot thank you.  rb