How to Use Walnut Oil As a Finish

Walnut oil is extracted from the ground nut meat through pressing.

You can use walnut oil to leave wood surfaces with a natural-looking finish. Purified natural oils such as walnut oil often are used to finish work surfaces such as cutting boards and butcher's blocks. Walnut oil is quickly absorbed into the wood to make the surface more durable without creating a temporary coating. The oil slightly darkens the color of wood and accentuates the natural appearance of the grain with only a few applications.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-grain sandpaper (400 to 600 grit)
• Tack cloth
• Soft cloths

Instructions

1. Clean the entire wood surface with fine sandpaper. The clean and smooth surface will absorb the walnut oil more evenly. Wipe away all the wood dust with a tack cloth.

2. Pour 2 tbsp.of walnut oil directly onto the wood surface. Spread the oil around the wood in a thin layer with a soft cloth. Add more walnut oil in small amounts as needed to cover the entire surface evenly.

3. Wait for 30 minutes. The wood will absorb the proper amount of walnut oil.

4. Wipe away the excess walnut oil with a clean, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Store the wood piece vertically for 24 hours to air dry.

5. Apply a second coat of walnut oil to the wood. Wipe away the excess oil after 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Walnut oil can be substituted with linseed or tung oil to finished woods for those with nut allergies.

• Walnut oil often is sold in culinary specialty stores and health food markets.

References

• Sawdust Making 101: Finishing