How to Finish Wood With Boiled Linseed Oil

A good finish will give your furniture a clean, classic look.

Linseed oil, or flax seed oil, is a good, natural way to finish wood. If you're looking to give your furniture or floor a lustrous shine, boiled linseed oil might be just what you need. Applying the oil is a fairly simple process and you need only a brush, a cloth and some rags to do the job. How long it will take depends on how many coats you want.

Things You'll Need

• Brush
• Clean cloths
• Clean rags

Instructions

1. Brush the oil gently onto the surface of the wood and allow it to penetrate for 30 minutes.

2. Rub the oil into the wood with a soft pad or cloth and wipe off any excess oil with a clean rag. Allow it to dry for about a week.

3. Rub the wood with steel wool after it dries to smooth it and then clean the surface with a dry rag.

4. Repeat until you have the finish you want, which usually takes about three coats or more.

References

• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture: Wood Finishing