best natural oil for interior wood trim?
Hi,
Trimming a house inside with 1×4 clear white pine, plus have some exposed doug fir posts and beams. Wondering what the best finish would be for the wood?
House will have hardwood floors–mostly white ash, some red birch. Big-time natural wood theme throughout. Sort of Shaker-style simplicity driving the design.
I was thinking raw linseed oil (I know it takes forever to dry). VOCs and other toxic ingredients are to be avoided (OK during application, but can’t be any residual odors, and finish must be safe for young children to finger/lick/gnaw). Flat or satin sheen would be preferred over gloss. Darkening of the wood is fine, but grain must be visible.
Builder I know suggested Tung oil, and I found what looks like a decent product without any additives at http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=20049&category=1,190,42942&ccurrency=2&SID=
Any recommendations? Or should I just leave the wood as is? Climate is Northern New England.
Thanks,
Ed
Edited 2/10/2003 4:12:38 PM ET by MONSIEUR_ED
Replies
ALL available finishes are non-toxic after they have cured.
Here is what Flexner's book has about Tung Oil
Cures faster and more water-resistan than raw linseed oil. Cures soldt so shouldn't be builtd up on the wood. Doesn't darken as much as linseed oil. Produces a very dull sheen until fice or more coats.
Under protection agaisnt wear, dirt, water it has poor until five or more coats.
BTW, note that is for 100% Pure Tung Oil. Tung Oil FINISH is completely different product.
But you might have a problem with the ash. I have never used Tung oil, but open grain woods like ash and oak have a problem when used with an "oil finish". They can weep the oil out of the pores for hours and you have to keep wiping off the excess.
I would do a couple of test pieces first.
I have had good luck with a product call LandArk wood finish. It comes in both a liquid type and wax type finish. I first got if for the timbers in our timber frame home but an now using it for both the pine T&G and custom pine trim. It is very user friendly -- but not fast drying. It is made of Tung Oil, Linseed Oil and Beeswax in a D-limonene base which is a food grade citrus thinner. It produces a low sheen finish and really shows the wood.
Small company that makes this and they will ship direct to you. Cost is about $ 35 per gallon plus shipping. (I got my first of this product through our timber frame supplier.)
Web site is http://www.arkwood.net/landark/what/what.htm
deblacksmith
Thanks to both of you for the tips and recommendations. I talked with a furniture-maker friend and decided to go with a product made by Tried & True called "Original Wood Finish" (http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/products.htm#Original%20Wood%20Finish). It's basically polymerized linseed oil with beeswax--supposedly a concoction based on an old Shaker formula.
That Arkwood stuff looked good--similar, but had tung oil in addition to linseed and some sort of citrus solvent also.
Will probably go with something a bit more durable on the flooring--not sure yet what.
Thanks again.