Another BLO Question

I do nothing else with it .I feel it’s a very inferior finish. I know there are many who use it because that’s what they have always done. But I feel there are so much more durable and wood enhancing products since this linseed oil came out in the 1600 hundreds give or take a couple hundred years. I like old cars but I wouldn’t drive a 1906 curved dash oldsmobile to work on the freeway. finishing is like cars, clothes,food every one has there favorites . The way you find out about them is do what your doing and try each type for your self.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

BLO is just one step of the finishing process. Some people like to dye the wood yellow first, then sand it off and apply a darker stain. This will make the flecks pop and mimic the look of fumed oak. I personally prefer BLO then a few coats of amber or garnet shellac on qs white oak followed by beeswax.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

Boiled linseed oil , I too was wondering. Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

I start out with BLO and then apply finish over that. Try some poly on your sample piece and see what you think.

-- Those that say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

like most have said, you probably won’t be happy with just sathering on a few coats of BLO and calling it done. you can add color to BLO using a liquid dye. you can topcoat it or glaze over it. there are a hundred different finishes and just using BLO is not in my top 10.

-- david roberts, houston area, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but that has never been a problem for me."

not a fan of blo here. at all. i think you would be much better off with a good wipe on poly like seal a cell or arm r seal by general finishes. thats what i use. if youre looking to use a natural oil i generally go with a thinner oil like danish oil and then after a coat or two apply several coats of poly, shellac or even lacquer.

Danish oil is just linseed oil and varnish or poly depending on brand. Most poly’s have linseed oil as their base, so I don’t see the need to use it if you are just going to use poly over it. That’s why I use blo and shellac.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL