Used Danish Oil on a table. How long til I should sand if I want to refinish?
guitargyro
| Posted in Finishing on
Hello. First post…definitely what you would call a newb. Especially to finishing. Recently I have done a couple tables using poplar (I know) and some refurbished old cast iron legs.
Overall I am pleased with the results. But I think I would like to redo the finishing on the biggest table, with which I used 2-3 coats of Danish Oil. It’s turned a little more green and yellow than I would have liked.
I know that sanding so soon might be a bad idea. Only been about 3 weeks. So I was wondering how long I should wait before I sand and use what I have learned in the meantime. What are we talking? 6 months? A year?
I’ve had much better luck using Gel Stains with Poplar since then. So I’m itching to give it a better finish. Thanks!
Replies
Danish oil can be a lot of different things depending on who makes it but normally, it’s dry in 24 hours.
Just to confirm, this is danish oil not linseed oil. Right?
If danish oil, you don't have to wait any longer nor do any heavy sanding unless you want something drastically different. If you want a slight change in color to shift the green/yellow to something of a different shade just use a good oil based gel stain of your choice. Follow the directions on the can. Let it dry. And, then apply what ever oil based finish you like; polyurethane, Waterlox, etc. You probably should start by lightly sandingthe surface with 220-320 grit just to give the surface some "tooth". Of course, make sure any wax, if any is removed.
If you want to stay with danish oil only, try applying another coat or two of one of the tinted products. Watco has walnut, cherry, and some others. I think that a walnut stain or danish tint will work best to neutralize or shift the green/yellow colors you have now, but if you can, try it on some scrap.
This was Watco Natural Danish Oil
Watco is mostly solvents mixed with linseed oil and rosin, should dry overnight.
1st - green & yellow are normal colors for poplar. Don't blame the oil. And, once it's in the wood you'll have to sand pretty deep to get it out. The operative word being 'in'.
I'm curious. Why are you using a soft wood for furniture?
Mikaol
News to me. It’s considered a hardwood actually. Though on the softer side than some for sure. But I used it because… I like the way it looks.
I’m not blaming the oil. But as I’m sure you know, poplar can be a bit unpredictable with finishing. Even with test strips.
But yes I’m in agreement that it may not be as easy to get out as some are saying. I think I’ll let it dry out longer before I attempt any sanding.
Poplar is a hardwood; in broad terms, broad leaved vs conifer. However, it is physically softer than most other hardwoods.
Here is another one I did in Poplar. Pleased with the finish on this one.
Gel stain and polycrylic.
If you're dissatisfied with the greens and yellows, you may decide just to give it time. Sitting under that window, the color will mellow to a more uniform light to mid tan.
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