How To Preserve Wood

1.Oil whenever the wood feels dry. Outside of industrial uses, rubbing in oil is the most common way to preserve wood. The right oil will soak into the wood's pores, keeping the wood strong and slowing absorption of water that can cause rot. A couple coats of oil can protect wood for years, but this depends greatly on the oil and environment, so check regularly. If a dab of oil is rapidly absorbed, the wood has dried out.

Even if you plan on painting the wood, you may want to oil it first, especially if the wood is old and in poor condition.

Teak is a uniquely long-lived wood which does not need to be oiled, although once it has been oiled it may require regular reapplication.

2.Clean off dust and dirt. Prepare the wood by dusting off any dirt or debris. Use a clean, dry towel or rags to wipe off the wood. Note and repair any imperfections or flaws in the wood.

3.Select an oil or commercial product. There are many available oils and wood preservation products suitable for home use. Follow this advice to select the best one for your wood:

Tung oil gives good protection, if you can accept the high price and hours of drying time. A finish that contains tung oil gives better water protection than 100% tung oil, but avoid varnishes that create a top layer instead of soaking in, and be wary of products sold as "tung oil" that have no relation to the real product.

For cutting boards and other kitchen applications, use food-safe mineral oil, or coconut, walnut, or almond oil. Avoid the last two if nut allergies are an issue.Mix in ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) melted beeswax for each cup (240 mL) oil for additional protection.

There are many synthetic products out there, including pretty good ones that use linseed oil as a base but provide additional protection .Modern water-based finishes are cheap and easy to apply, but not good for long-term preservation.

Boiled linseed oil ("BLO") is a common choice, but provides poor water resistance and yellows over time. Its main advantage is price.(Raw linseed oil is even less effective, although environmentally friendly.)

4.Gather materials. Find a clean, dry rag for rubbing in the oil, and newspaper to catch spills. Because many of these oils are flammable, keep a metal container nearby to store these materials after the oiling. Have access to water or a fire extinguisher so you are ready in the unlikely event that some of these materials spontaneously ignite.

The flammability is greatly reduced once the oil dries. When the job is finished, air-dry the rags and newspaper in a single layer away from buildings and heat.

5.Apply more coats, sanding in between. At least two or three coats of oil are recommended for long-term preservation. Follow these steps each time:

Wait until the previous coat is dry. This can take under an hour for some synthetic products, to a week or longer for raw linseed oil.

Sand the surface lightly.

Mix more oil-solvent mix, if necessary. Use less solvent for each coat, making a thicker and thicker mix.

Rub in the next coat.