Replies

1. 
   Arthur_Radley | May 12, 2001 01:28am | #1

   *
   Mike, a better choice would have been Penofin and some of the other penetrating oil products optimized for use on outdoor furniture.

   At some point, you'll probably be able to varnish the piece although a film forming finish on outdoor furniture is usually a terrible mistake as it will need maintenance quite frequently. A better choice than poly. varnish would be a top quality spar varnish from Epiphanes, or another reputable company servicing the marine industry. This stuff is not cheap, but should last several years without need of refinishing.

   Poly is usually too brittle to hold up well outdoors. Use what boatbuilders and owners use and you will be happiest.

1. 
   Arthur_Radley | May 12, 2001 01:34am | #2

   *I should update... the linseed oil should cure in a few more days. You should always allow a coat to penetrate for no longer than fifteen minutes or so and then thoroughly buff off the excess. If you did not buff off the portion that did not penetrate then go back and apply another coat, let is sit for ten minutes and buff it off.I would estimate that you'll need five to seven applications of regular boiled linseed oil to do any real good, but you don't have to let each application cure completely before working the next coat. The point behind successive applications is to force the wood to absorb all it can hold.I'd day five to seven applications over as many days as a rough rule of thumb. After the last application, I'd plan on at least a week before you can sit on the bench and you need to buff it occassionally to remove any oil that might surface during that time (it will look like little wet spots). You must buff these down completely and pretty much immediately. If any dry, use a little linseed oil on a clean cloth to wipe them away and then, again, buff thoroughly.If you can't tell already, Linseed oil finishes are a good way to get some upper-body exercise!

1. 
   Don_Stephan | May 13, 2001 04:34pm | #3

   *Make sure you use boiled linseed oil (often appreviated in discussions to BLO) and not raw, which can take FOREVER to dry.

1. 
   Danford_C._Jennings | May 15, 2001 03:52am | #4

   *Mike,Rule of thumb for boiled linseed oil; Apply once a day for one week, once a week for 1 month, once a month for 1 year, once a year forever.Personally, I would use a marine grade varnish such as Interlux or Epifanes or a polyurethane. FWIW.Dano

1. 
   Howard_Acheson | May 18, 2001 10:22pm | #5

   *Linseed oil, boiled or not, has virtually no protective value on wood. Water and watervapor passes right through it. Therefore, as an outdoor protectorant it has no value. If you used raw linseed oil, you have a year or more in front of you for it to dry. Raw linseed oil is a very slow curing oil.