Expert: Greg Scholl - 8/3/2011

Question
QUESTION: Greg, thanks for all your great info. I saw your post re http://en.allexperts.com/q/Woodworking-2320/2008/12/gumwood-refinishing.htm , and basically want to clarify something:
I have a similar craftsman interior that I've spent two years stripping, sanding and oiling a whole lot of trim and moulding with a 5 coat schedule of Boiled Linseed Oil coats,  sufficient drying intervals. As a novice woodworker BLO has been my mainstay and as usual brought out the color quite in this "gumwood", Red Eucalyptus in this case. I'm suddenly face with the issue that I may have to move and rent out this house, and I feel it would be unwise to leave just oiled woodwork that will likely be subject to abuse and not get the maintenance it would require. Im thinking I should topcoat with a more protective finish but can't stand a glossy or "matte" varnish or poly look. Even waterlox satin is way too glossy and thick. I've had decent test results with either a liquid Satin Wax product, and or Watco Danish oil over the top of the oiled wood. Do you concur with either of these solutions or have an alternate solution? Thanks! -Steve:o

ANSWER: Hey Steve, if you've applied 5 coats, you should be left with a pretty protective coat...this is a long oil, and does 'cure' like a thinned varnish to provide fairly good protection...especially after 5 coats.adding Watco over it wouldn't get you much, and now...since you've 'built' a decent layer of finish, successive coats from now on will get more glossy......I wouldn't wax it, as one of the beautiful things about an oil finish is that you can simply clean it and recoat it to rejuvenate it down the road, and waxing it will contaminate the surface with.....wax.......if you can't stand the look of a film finish...then you're left with what you've got there...and I think it's enough.You could use a Tung oil over the BLO, it holds up better to moisture and other damage, and doesn't tend to darken over time like the BLO, and I prefer that to BLO...hope that helps- post back if need be- regards- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for all the helpful advice Greg! Just wanted to clarify... wouldn't leaving it just as an oil finish, mean needing to recoat it every year or two? The one test area I did a year ago with a watco topcoat seems significantly more "cleanable", where as the oil coated-only areas have been prone to water marks, etc.

But based on my understanding of what you're saying, maybe maybe I'll just to a final top-coat of Tung oil over the existing 4-5 BLO coats. (any brand suggestions? (I know many of the "Tung Oil"s are modified and such.)

Again, I'll be needing to rent the home soon, so I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require regular maintenance. What's your best guess that an oil only finish will last without recoating?

Answer
http://www.waterlox.com/products-item/waterlox-original-satin-tung-oil-wood-floo

This would be my recommendation...will go over the BLO fine (as long as it has cured for a few weeks), and will offer better protection and renew-ability- low gloss level- proven reliability...yes a 'modified', penetrating Tung oil/varnish product. Since you have opted for an oil finish...yes, it will need 'renewing' every year or two...this is the nature of a penetrating oil finish....regards- Greg