Danish oil. How do you use it?

sogflash

sogflash

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
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If you have used Danish oil on wood in the past, how did you do it? I'm not sure if I should soak the handle in it or just have a little bit on a rag and smear on.

Is all Danish oil the same, or is there more than one type?
 
I like Watco Danish Oil. The first coat is done by wiping the oil on with a cotton rag every few minutes as it absorbs. Once it seems to stop, wait 1/2 hour and lightly wipe excess off. Wait intil it dries, usually about 24h, and wipe on for 30 min, then wipe the excess off. Repeat daily until it no longer absorbs, then buff. Repeat daily until you are happy with the finish. What type of wood, and how did you prep it? That can change the answer.
 
I second what Willie71 said. Watco is the brand I like as well.
Around here it is low humidity so I apply a coat and then wipe off any excess as soon as it starts to feel tacky.
Then I repeat that until I like how it looks.
When I am making boxes with softer woods I follow up with light coats of aerosol lacquer (Deft brand).
Finally I rub down with 0000 extra fine steel wool, then paste wax.
I hand buff with a soft cloth.
 
The Danish oil I have is from Rustins. The handle is birch, and it has been sanded to 600 grit. Any comments based on this information?
 
Birch is closed grained. Wet sand with 800, 1200, then 1500 grit as you progress with the oilings. You don't want the oil to sit on the surface, it just gets gummy. As Mark said, final finish with paste wax. The handle will feel like polished soapstone when done.
 
I wet sand with it and then put on finish coats much the same as has been mentioned already. If you get ahead of yourself and end up putting too much on and/or leaving it on without wiping it down and add another coat....things go badly... It won't dry because the coat underneath didn't dry. Then things get gummy and the only way to make it right is to sand it all back. Ask me how I know... :)

Jeremy
 
I use Watco Danish oil on walking sticks and tomahawk handles. I then apply Birchwoood Casey gunstock wax.
 
Honestly, I have no idea if it would work as well as paste wax in this application, but I am a big fan of Renaissance Wax. Perhaps the more knowledgeable here wiil chime in. I'd like to know.
 
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