Oil for finishing that doesn’t darken the wood

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  • sebastiaan
    6 September 2022 at 11:44 am #772820

    Hi all,

    I sometimes do some carving of spoons and other little trinkets, and have usually applied walnut oil to the spoons and BLO to the other things. But for some birch trinkets I don’t really like the darkening effect of the BLO, but would still like to bring out the wood grain. Is there another oil that doesn’t darken, or could I use furniture or beeswax without oil?

    Thanks for any help and insights!

    Sebastiaan

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    7 September 2022 at 7:26 pm #772971

    Hi Sebastian,

    I used Osmo 3032 hardwax oil (satin) on this maple cabinet. The grain structure became somewhat more prominent, with no other effects. (Please see photo)

    Hardwax oil finish

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    London, UK; Boston, MA

    sebastiaan
    8 September 2022 at 11:25 am #773054

    Hi Sven-Olof,

    Thanks for the suggestion. I looked it up and can get it here in the Netherlands too. Interesting combination of oils: sunflower, soy and thistle oil the Dutch product sheet says, and carnauba and candelilla wax. It also says safe for use on toys, which is always nice.

    And nice cabinet! What wood are the knobs/handles? Did you make them too (on a lathe)?

    Cheers,

    Sebastiaan

    • This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by sebastiaan.
    Sven-Olof Jansson
    10 September 2022 at 10:56 am #773289

    Thanks Sebastian!

    Bought the knobs ready made. They’re European oak, which I then “ebonised”, before oiling.

    Best

    Sven-Olof

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    London, UK; Boston, MA

    sebastiaan
    12 September 2022 at 11:43 am #773493

    Nice!

    I darkened some oak and beech a few times in a vinegar/water/rust solution (found it stained the wood once as I was derusting an old tool with wooden handle that I hadn’t protected well enough). Thought it worked reasonably well.

    Cheers,

    Sebastiaan

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    12 September 2022 at 4:55 pm #773515

    Thanks!

    Followed a recipe by Mr Tom Fidgen: a waddle of steel wool covered by vinegar in a jar, which was then left for a week. I probably should have abided to a recommendation from Fine Woodworking and first rinsed the waddle in 95% alcohol to rid it from oil/grease.

    Best

    Sven-Olof

    Sven-Olof Jansson
    London, UK; Boston, MA

    sebastiaan
    15 September 2022 at 7:35 pm #773835

    Thanks for that recipe Sven-Olof. I only ever used the left over solution that I kept after derusting tools, but will keep that recipe in mind for next time. Must work better!

    Cheers,

    Sebastiaan

    James NORTHCOTT
    8 January 2023 at 1:12 am #786171

    Baby oil (just scented mineral oil).

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