Have you ever wondered what brings the shine on your furniture? What gives it a new life after being used for several years by you? If you are curious, we will like to break it to you that it is the different kinds of wood oil finishes that give your furniture the look it needs.

Wood oil not only gives your furniture a finishing touch but, it also helps to preserve the wood and gives the furniture a longer life. One problem that could arise is how to choose the right kind of wood oil for your timber.

An amateur in the business would advise you to use any kind of wood oil as all of them serve the same purpose of bringing out the beauty of the piece of furniture it is being used to polish.

Different Oil Finishes

To make things easier for you and to help you familiarize with different kinds of wood oils, we have listed down the following:

1.  Tung Oil

This natural plant-based wood oil is used for the purpose of oil finish on timber. Tung Oil comes from the nuts and by pressing the seeds of the Tung tree found in Eastern Asia. This oil is clear, dries up quickly and looks great on your furniture if you are looking for a safe option that is non-toxic, eco-friendly, food-safe and won’t do much change to the actual look of the wood.

It is one of the most popular wood oil finishes among others that give a soft look to the timber when applied with a bit of shine on the surface and a touch of gold color. The oil is comparatively easier to apply. All you have to do is apply a small amount on the wood, using a lint-free cloth and wipe off any excess left on the furniture, letting the rest dry for at least 24 hours before you apply another coat.

A craftsman’s first choice, the Tung oil does not turn yellow in color over the course of time. The only drawback of this oil is that it is not as hard-wearing as other wood oils. So, make sure you are not using it for furniture that is kept outdoors or using it for wooden floorings.

2.  Linseed Oil

Flaxseed oil, commonly known as linseed oil is one of the most popular choices when it comes to choosing wood oil furnishes. Unlike the Tung Oil, linseed oil actually sits well into the timber and penetrates well inside after a few coats to give it a fine finish. You need to let it dry overnight for best results.

The linseed oil is also eco-friendly and non-toxic which helps bring out a clean finish to the timber so that the actual color is visible and the wood underneath the oil coat could be well seen. The linseed oil is derived from the flaxseed plant that is where it gets it other name from. Raw linseed oil can take ages to dry and thus, most craftsmen prefer a more processed version of the oil.

3.  Danish Oil

Danish oil comes either from Tung oil or polymerized linseed oil that is mixed with a couple of solvents. Unlike the Tung oil, it is popular for its hard-wearing off properties. So, you can easily use it on timber that you intend to keep outdoors or on wooden floors. It is also a great choice for wooden kitchen cabinets and exterior timber furniture. Danish oil has a strong smell so be careful when using it.

The Danish oil gives a nice satin look that is neither too shiny nor feels a bit too slippery when you walk on that wooden floor. The oil penetrates well into the wood it is used just like the linseed oil and gives an instant glow to the furniture. You can easily apply it on to the timber with the help of a brush or clean piece of cloth and put it on the surface. Just make sure you give the oil at least 15 minutes to settle on the wood before you brush off the excess oil finish.

You can apply as many coats as you like. A minimum of three coats should do the trick though. Just be sure to let it dry in-between coats and overnight for best results.  This oil is also quite popular with woodworkers and craftsmen because it is easy to handle and low maintenance.

4.  Mineral Oil

The mineral oil is clear in how it appears and quite odorless when compared to the rest of the wood oils. It is also referred to as a derivative of the petroleum family but, even though, it is eco-friendly, non-toxic and food safe. Mineral oil is safe to use in any other timber that might be used for the kitchen or food utensils, etc.

Mineral oil is mostly used for cutting boards, kitchen cabinets and utensils, stuff like wooden bowls and literally anything and everything that is wooden and often comes in contact with food. As mentioned before, because it is food safe and non-toxic, it is also used in baby oil and safe to keep in the house. So, you do not really have to worry about anything.

5.  Walnut Oil

The walnut oil comes from the nuts and seeds of the Juglans regia tree that is from the family and a relative of the Juglans nigra tree that produces the black walnut wood used in most furniture. Like mineral oil, walnut oil is also used in cutting boards, wooden bowls and utensils used in the kitchen due to its food safe and non-toxic qualities.

Raw walnut oil also possesses long drying properties like linseed and Tung oil. So, make sure that you give it enough drying time in-between coats and overnight once you are done.

So, which of these wood oil finishes will you use for your next furniture piece? Let us know in the comments below. At the Original WorkShop, we ensure that the right oil finishes are used on every project we complete. Contact us today to design your unique woodworking piece!