How to Finish Wood With Linseed Oil

A linseed oil finish brings out the natural beauty of wood. It's easy to finish wood with linseed oil, although it's a bit messy and time consuming. It's not very water resistant, but it shows scratches less than varnish.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boiled linseed oil
• Clean, lint-free cloths
• Steel wool

1. Buy some boiled linseed oil.

2. Make sure the wood you are going to finish is clean and free of dust.

3. Rub liberal amounts of linseed oil into the wood with a clean, lint-free cloth. Continue applying until the wood won't absorb any more oil. Throw away cloths that get saturated with oil.

4. Buff the wood with a clean, lint-free cloth. Rub it until a finger touched on the wood doesn't pick up any oil.

5. Dry the wood overnight. It should be relatively warm while drying. A temperature of 70 degrees or higher is ideal.

6. Burnish the wood with "0000" steel wool after the first coat has dried.

7. Clean the surface of any dust and finish the wood again. You'll have to finish it at least 4 or 5 times.

Tips & Warnings

• Most commercial linseed oils are boiled to reduce drying time although you can get regular linseed oil. It will take longer to dry.

[2martins]

on 5/29/2009 DON'T JUST THROW THE RAGS AWAY!! Boiled linseed oil creates heat as it dries and can spontaneously combust. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS for disposing of the rags!!!