Among the methods for improving the appearance and service life of wooden furniture, including beautiful and high-quality pieces made of ash and walnut, the technique to finish wood with oil ranks as a traditional and effective method for both homeowners and master craftsmen.
This old technique not only reveals the natural grain patterns and amazing colours of these exquisite hardwoods but also gives them an added layer of protection from moisture, soil, and normal use so that your treasured pieces can continue to be admired for many years to come.
Oil finishes for Ash and Walnut: Why are they good?
Natural Beauty Enhancement
Perhaps the greatest advantage to finish wood with oil, especially your ash or walnut furniture is that it enhances the grain of the wood without imparting to it the plastic sheen that other finishes can give. The oil gets into the wood grain and highlights the differences in the colour of the wood and the grain pattern of every piece of furniture, giving them a beautiful amber colour that only gets richer and richer with time, and only improves with regular waxing.
Moisture Protection
Moisture is also an enemy of both ash and walnut because it causes the wood to warp, crack or in worse cases, rot. Oil finishes act as a shield to protect the wooden surface from water by closing the pores of the wood and not allowing water to come in contact with the internal framework of the furniture in turn enhancing the life span of the furniture and retaining its shape for a long time.
Easy Application and Maintenance
While other finishing techniques might call for particular equipment or the services of a professional, to finish wood with oil is not any complicated process and can be done anywhere by anybody with the right resources and time. This process is very simple as one has to rub the oil on the wood using a cloth or a brush, let it sink in the wood and then wipe off any extra oil, thus making it a suitable method for anyone who wants to maintain or refurbish their furniture without hiring a professional.
The Correct Oil for Your Wooden Furniture
Linseed Oil: A Timeless Decision
Made from the oil of flax seeds, linseed oil has been used by woodworkers for many years because of its excellent ability to deeply penetrate the wood and provide a long-lasting, water-repellent finish. On ash or walnut furniture, it brings out more of the natural colour of the wood; ash acquires an Amber glow while walnut gives a chocolate brown finish with a fantastic hand-rubbed finish that only gets better with age.
Tung Oil: For Supreme Waterproofing
Tung oil is obtained from the nuts of the tung tree and is widely known for its excellent water-repellent characteristics which makes it very suitable for use in making furniture that may be subjected to water or even frequent use. Applied on ash or walnut, tung oil will give an almost amber colour that enhances the wood grain and gives a very good layer which is food contact safe and ideal for tables, cabinets and other pieces that are going to take a beating.
Danish Oil: An All-Rounder
Danish oil is a mix of oil and varnish and it has the properties of both penetrating oils and surface finishes because it gives the wood good protection and at the same time does not alter the appearance and the feel of the wood. Danish oil when used on ash or walnut furniture gives the furniture a satin finish that does not hide the grain of the wood but rather complements the wood grain in a good way, thus it is ideal for those who need protection with some sheen.
The Oil Finishing Process: Step-by-step Guideline
Preparation: Sanding and Cleaning
As the first step to finish wood with oil, the surface must first be sanded to smoothen all the imperfections and in doing this, you will start with rough papers and gradually move to finer papers until you feel the surface of the wood. After sanding, be sure to clean the surface with a tack cloth or vacuum to provide a dust-free surface on which the oil can be absorbed for the best results.
Application: Individual Thin Coats for the Best Practice
When applying oil to your ash or walnut furniture it is best done in thin successive layers and it is best of all to wait for each layer to soak in before putting the next one on. With a clean, and lint-free cloth or using a high-quality brush spread the oil in the direction of the grain rightly coating all the sections on your furniture that need the touch of the oil and this would include the corners and hard-to-reach places that most people might not access.
Drying and Reapplication: Patience is all you need
When using the oil on the wooden furniture, it is advisable to apply the first coat and let the penetration be for 15-30 minutes and then, wipe off the excess to avoid stickiness. The subsequent coats should be applied as follows: let it dry for 24-48 hours depending on the type of oil used and the environmental conditions, lightly sand the piece using fine-grit sandpaper and apply the subsequent coats until you achieve the required depth and sheen of the finish.
At OAK Furniture Collection, our skilled artisans apply an oil finish to the furniture so that each product in the collection appears very beautiful as well as highly durable. You can check our wide range of oil-finished ash and walnut furniture as well as handcrafted products that enable you to enjoy the best quality of workmanship as well as the inherent quality of these high-demanded hardwood furniture.
