A friend(?) suggested I use hemp oil as a finish on cherry.
The supplier could not tell me if it dried (oxidized) or not. I turns out that it doesn’t seem to.
I quite like the result but it would be great if it cured. Can anyone tell me if japan dryer will help and if so how much should be added?
Thanks, John.
Replies
Oil finishes of any sort are of very limited utility--offering zero protection, and very little longevity. If you want the appearance of an oil finish, the best approach is a mix of boiled linseed oil (BLO) and varnish, applied liberally, let to soak for a short time, and then vigorously wiped off so that none remains on the surface. A few applications gets an even matte to satin sheen.
I don't know hemp oil other than the indication that it contains very little to none of the psycoactive ingredients from hemp. Frankly I don't see much point in the experimentation with it, given the expense relative to BLO, and very little likelihood of superior performance.
I heard that hemp oil should only be used on highboys. ;-)
I was referring to the oil itself drying, I am not trying to prevent any change in the wood color due to UV.
John.
Ouch.
I would love to know how your buddy gets his hemp oil to dry as an oil finish, or was it just a suggestion. In all my practice and research, hemp oil is great for rejuvenating and conditioning (not for stain just general health) wood but not finishing.
Japan drier may work. Make up test panels. Use two or three table spoons per cup to start with. You may end up with two or three tablespoons per quart before your done? Oil finish may take a number or weeks to dry hard. I don't think you will end up with a better finish over using BLO. One should consider cost of oil.
Hemp seed oil actually is classified as a drying oil meaning that it does polymerize, or create a film or layer similar to what flaxseed oil (linseed oil or boiled linseed oil) it does take longer than BLO to polymerize as the typical product is not processed to dry quicker, just natural, hence the boiling in BLO. Because it is a hardening oil that requies no other chemical processing, it was used in virtually all good paints and varnishes up until the marijuana transfer tax law in 1937.(the emperor wears no clothes, pg8) in 1937, 116000 pounds of hemp seed oil were used in the us just for paints and varnishes. In 1937, thae transfer tax law was allowed to happen principally due to the corruption of Timothy oliphant working with Hearst publishing and Henry anslinger in the smear campaign against cannabis sativa, aka hemp which they created the new name "marijuana" for. No one knew that term that were voting against was the same thing as hemp or cannabis. Canvas for example Is named from the word cannabis. Virtually all rope and cloth was made from cannabis until the late 1800s with the advent of the cotton gin which made it cheaper to produce cotton thread than hemp thread. The decordicator in 1916 made people believe hemp would be the first billion dollar crop, but like I said, corruption ruined progress.
Anyways, apologies for ranting! I'm currently doing some modern hands on research with natural hemp seed oil to determine actual dry times, finish look and quality, protection, can it be boiled to increase dry time, can other things be added to speed drying time, etc. I will tell you that I already like it better than boiled linseed oil. Raw linseed oil for comparison takes around 30 days to harden when hempseed oil takes about 10. My results will be posted soon to my YouTube channel with the same name, JB Customs Woodworking. Feel free to check it out. There's nothing there about hemp seed oil applicatioj as of now though.
I found hemp oil to be similar to linseed oil, maybe a bit more yellow and less smell, it does dry and it can build up. It’s used abundantly at the cheese store I often supply in wood accessories and tables/shelves unfinished.
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