Oak? Treatment...

[cuttingsolutions]

Not sure the exact question here.
A friend has acquired a piece of "seasoned" oak, which i believe has a nice planed finish.

He is talking about and others suggesting he coats it in oil before fitting. Its a "plinth" over the fireplace.

What does the panel think?

Ta
Dave

[Telos]

I'd be inclined to drown it in oil before fitting. Several weeks worth of repeat oiling and drying will be needed before he can fit it. Even so, it is bound to shrink. My brother has a 4in thick lintel sized beam cemented into the brick work above his fire place and that has shrunk quite a bit in the middle. I'd call it inevitable. Still looks nice though!

All depends exactly on what you mean by "a piece of "seasoned" oak" though. Are we talking about a 1in shelf or whacking great post?

[cuttingsolutions]

the piece is 36" x 7" x 3"
I guess you might call that a wacking great post ;D

what oil should he be using?

Thanks

[Telos]

I'd go for several light coats of "boiled" linseed oil mixed 50/50 with white spirit. Brush it on, leave it for a minute then wipe it off (rub it in) with an old towel. Finish with a couple of 'full' coats without white spirit. If it's going to be used as a mantelpiece with an exposed upper surface, Danish oil mixed with white spirit might be better. They will both need to be built up slowly, only adding another layer of oil when the first one is dry. This may take several days or even weeks. If you rush it, you can end up with a sticky mess that doesn't dry. The oil will change the colour a bit, although if it's well seasoned it should be pretty dark already. Once dry you can buff it a bit, to give it a nice sheen.

Hope that helps

[Keith]

You need to be careful using linseed oil on oak if it is to be plastered up to the oak. You would need to ensure the oil has completely dried otherwise it leeches out and stains the plaster.

I have some beams in my house which were doused in linseed oil, years later they are still staining the plaster despite using stain block paint.

Personally I would go for an equal mix of pure turps, danish oil and spirit based polyurethane varnish (2 coats) then one or two coats of oil/poly mix. Let the first 2 coats soak in but apply the unthinned final coats thinly with a rag.

[mrgrimsdale]

I'd brush on raw linseed oil and wipe off any surplus a couple of days later. Then do it again every now and then, once a year praps.

cheers
Jacob