Oil makes a great finish for good quality wood in areas of high traffic where it will be handled a lot, and in areas where moisture is going to be in the air. It takes a bit of time and care to apply, but the results are worth it if done properly.
Tip: Oil will change the colour of the wood it is applied to, and is avaliable in several shades. Test the oil on a small section of the wood which is hidden from normal view before applying to the main part of the wood.
Preparation
Prepare the area around the wood to be oiled as you would if you were painting or applying varnish. Protect carpets and other flooring with dust sheets or newspaper, and apply masking tape to glass or tiles adjacent to the wood. Make sure that the wood you are oiling is completely clear of any previous finish and that it is sanded smooth. It is best to sand the area with increasingly fine paper so that when you finish you are not left with scratch marks in the wood. Remove any dust from the sanding down and wipe the wood with a lint-free cloth dipped in a little linseed oil if you can.
Application
Oil should be applied with a foam brush for best results, and these are available from most good DIY stores. Apply the first coat of oil to the wood, brushing in the direction of the grain. Try not to over brush (using too many small strokes) and do not stop halfway through the job or you may see lines appearing in the finish.
Let the oil soak into the wood for 15-20 minutes and then use a clean cloth to gently wipe any excess oil from the surface. Quite a lot of oil will come off of the wood at this point, so make sure you change to a clean cloth regularly. Now leave the oil to soak in for another couple of hours (3 hours at most) before applying a second coat in the same way as the first. Wipe the wood down with clean cloths as before and then leave to dry for at least 24 hours. When the oil is fully dry, buff the surface to a shine with a clean cloth.
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