Reply To: Finishing with linseed oil – the details?

Hi. New here & figured I’ll have to jump in at some point, so here goes.

Linseed oil is one of my favorite finishes because it’s easy, & has a great look & as long as you’re not looking for a build up of the finish, you’re fine.  I used it recently for a workbench I built. I noted application techniques from simple to  complicated. I believe in simple as long as nothing more is required, and with linseed oil, nothing is.

Slop it on heavy, let it soak in for 10-20 minutes, wipe off the excess & let it dry til tomorrow. Repeat, repeat, repeat, until you get the saturation you want.  As to the rags, that’s simple too. I hang them up to dry. That’s all I to do. They’re not a problem as long as you let them breathe. (as a disclaimer, here, check out the web & always follow all the safety procedures that everyone specifies, don’t do what I do)

As to the added Japan drier, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Boiled linseed oil isn’t actually boiled, it has metallic salts added to facilitate curing.  Adding more may upset the chemical balance & at the least, not be an improvement, and at worst, cause problems.

I tried it once & it didn’t help.  Anyway, that’s my first input. It’s always free…and worth every penny.