Oil for wood for interior work: application features. Wood processing with oil - subtleties and nuances

In order not to lose the quality characteristics of wood, it is recommended to process it only with natural compounds. Various natural oils for wood processing have been used since the 12th century. Linseed oil ranks first in its characteristics, as it not only protects the wood, but also gives it a soft velvety shade. How to use linseed oil for woodworking, the main stages and subtleties of work in one short article.

When choosing how to treat a wooden floor or stairs, first of all, environmental friendliness and protective properties of the impregnation are taken into account. Impregnation of wood with natural linseed oil has a number of advantages:

• The old product acquires an aesthetic appearance, as small cracks, scuffs and bumps are masked.
• Soaking in porous surface composition, gives it water repellency.
• After drying, dust and dirt stick to the surface less.
• Emphasizes the natural texture of wood.
• The oil has antiseptic properties and protects the surface from fungus, mold and blue stain.
• It is deeply absorbed into the wood and will last at least 50 years.
• Protects wood from cracking and drying out.
• Wood does not stop "breathing".
• Hypoallergenic and suitable as decoration in children's rooms and kitchens.

Linen is used to cover any wood products: in the processing of houses, in the decoration of furniture and decorative elements from oak, teak, pine, spruce, fir. Due to its composition, the oil is easily combined with various tinting emulsions. Can be applied alone as a finish and protection or under further varnishing.

Of the minuses, the price stands out, which depends on the manufacturer and the volume of impregnation purchased. The table below shows the most popular manufacturers of linseed oil for finishing work:

Which wood oil to choose depends on the material possibilities. For processing wood fit unrefined product from any manufacturer. Imported linen compositions are more expensive, but have additives in the form of beeswax or artificial polymers. They reduce drying time and make work easier. The consumption of each manufacturer is different and depends on the density of the product.

To tint the surface, impregnation with colors is purchased. This can be found in the catalogs of the manufacturer Tikkurila, the price is from 750 rubles / l. Tinted translucent with various natural shades. Using colored oil, you can tone an inexpensive type of wood, such as pine, you can give the appearance of oak or mahogany. Distinguish after processing inexpensive material from a similar premium class at first glance it will be difficult.

Application technology

Usage for each manufacturer is listed on the label. But there are standard ways:

• Dive - when wooden element immersed in a hot composition and left to soak for several days. Then it is taken out and dried on a warm surface.
• Vacuum impregnation - the product is placed in special device where, under the influence of vacuum, the oil penetrates deep into the wood.
• Two-layer application - performed with a brush or a piece of foam rubber when decorating the premises.

Let's take a closer look at the two-layer application, which is suitable for processing wooden floors, stairs and walls.

Two-layer application

To complete the finish, you will need tools and materials:

1. Butter.
2. Wax.
3. Wide brush - flute.
4. Sanding paper of the finest fraction.
5. Cotton rag.
6. A piece of pure suede.

Previously, the product is cleaned of the old coating, the surface is polished with sandpaper. Dust is swept away with a soft brush. Prepared wood absorbs oil better, and the protective properties of the coating will be higher.

The oil is brought to a boil twice before work. Thermal preparation will shorten the drying time of the impregnation. You need to cook a linen product in a water bath, in small portions. As soon as the oil boils for the first time, it is removed from the heat and allowed to cool. Then the procedure is repeated. Before application, the hot agent is stirred so that the color is more uniform. Modern compositions with wax, you can not pre-heat, but they will dry longer. Use hot impregnation with caution, wearing protective gloves.

1. A brush or sponge is impregnated with linseed oil, which is applied liberally, with blotting movements, to the wood. Movements are performed along the fibers.
2. Within two hours, the surface of the wood is impregnated.
3. A second layer of hot impregnation is applied. Surfaces are allowed to dry for 2-3 hours.
4. A soft rag is taken, with which excess impregnation is removed from the tree.
5. The surface is polished with wax or varnished.

Beeswax is heated in a water bath and hot rubbed into the wood until the surface acquires an even sheen. But it is not necessary to cover the impregnation with wax, you can apply the old fashioned way polishing - with a thick suede cloth. Suede rub the surface to a shine, in a circular motion. But giving shine to wood is a long and painstaking process. For processing large area may take several weeks.

Using linseed oil to protect wood in your home, the application technology is followed. You will have to work with a heated product, so take care to protect your hands and eyes. By impregnating the wood, the oil will protect it from moisture, the sun, fungi and mold. Small cracks will disappear on the surface, and the pattern will become clearer. To decorate inexpensive oak or mahogany wood, impregnations with tinting effects are used, which can be purchased at any specialized store. For simple processing, the most inexpensive unrefined oil will do. From above, it is advisable to wipe the surface with wax or polish it with a suede cloth until it shines.

1. Oil properties
2. Technologies used

Natural wood remains one of the most environmentally friendly and beautiful materials used in construction and interior decoration, furniture, decor items, kitchen utensils. wooden floors, window frames, doors, wall panels not only add color to the interior, but also maintain a cozy atmosphere, create a healthy microclimate. However, natural raw materials important disadvantage- high hydrophilicity, that is, the ability to absorb liquids. Some time after operation, untreated wood swells, darkens and dries out under the influence of accumulated moisture.

Oil properties

To keep the quality wooden products as long as possible, apply special impregnating agents that create an external protective covering. natural oil formulations in this regard, they have some advantages, since they do not harm health. Linseed oil for wood impregnation is considered one of the best. It contains a high content of linoleic acid, which promotes polymerization - oxidation in air and the conversion of the substance into a semi-solid state. When applying natural vegetable composition several goals are achieved on the surface:

• wood becomes protected from dampness, fungal attack, cracking, darkening, premature rot, acquires moisture and dirt-repellent properties;
• the natural structure of the material is emphasized;
• small imperfections of products are masked: roughness, scratches;
• the appearance of wood improves: the color is evened out, a soft sheen appears;
• the service life of materials is extended;
• the ability of the tree to air exchange is preserved;
• there is no unpleasant chemical odor characteristic of most synthetic impregnations, there is no danger of intoxication.

Linseed oil treatment of wooden products is absolutely harmless to people and animals, it can be used on any surface, including children's toys, cutting boards, countertops, spoons, bowls. You can use such a coating for any type of wood: yew, birch, oak, pine, spruce. Wood oil acts as an antiseptic, suitable as a stand-alone or intermediate coating, if further paint or varnish is required.

Technologies used

For technical purposes, it is permissible to use a raw food product without additives, obtained by cold or hot pressing. But such a composition has a drawback: it dries very slowly, each subsequent layer has to be applied 5-7 days after the previous one. long time processed products leave greasy spots when touched. The resulting coating will have to be updated quite often - 4-5 times a year, which is not very practical. In addition, light wood after it turns yellow or darkens under the influence of sunlight. It is better to use such impregnation for small parts: wall mounted or floor decor, flowerpots, spoons, wood crafts, toys. Floors, stairs, benches, doors, shelves, ceiling beams, log cabins and other massive elements are more useful to cover with specially treated oil - drying oil of industrial or home production with wax or synthetic polyurethane additives that speed up drying. Such tools speed up and facilitate the work, help to achieve better results, reduce further abrasion of the surface. Updating the completed coating is required 1-2 times a year.

In addition, pigmented linseed oil-based impregnations are available, with which you can completely change the old damaged wood, giving it an aesthetic appearance.

There are several ways to process materials:

• vacuum impregnation - this technology is applicable only in industrial conditions, as it requires special equipment and certain skills;
• soaking - suitable for small items, which are dipped in a heated composition for several hours, then removed and dried;
• layer-by-layer application with a roller, brush, sponge - this way you can impregnate prepared surfaces of various sizes, this method is considered universal for all types wooden materials and finishes.

It is important to remember that pure linseed oil is not very suitable for external work, as it does not create an impermeable, stable film on the surface. The coating made with it has more decorative than practical value, and in the open air it quickly collapses under the influence of sun, wind and rain. To increase stability, turpentine, polymers and other components are added to natural vegetable fat.

Impregnation of wood at home

Linseed oil impregnating compounds are easy to prepare at home. The easiest way is to boil it twice. The portion required for one application is heated in a water bath until boiling, then cooled and boiled again. As a result of heating, unstable impurities are destroyed. When purifying crude oil, hydrofiltration is sometimes used: it is combined with water before boiling, and then filtered.

To ensure a smooth finish, extend the duration and improve water repellency, homemade drying oil can be added beeswax. If a thick mastic is required, oil and wax are taken in a ratio of 1: 1, for liquid impregnation - 2: 1.

The bee product for wood processing is pre-crushed and combined with fat when heated, after melting, mixed until completely homogeneous. The composition remaining after the work is stored in a cool place in a hermetically sealed container, heated if necessary.

When immersing wood, the mixture at a temperature of 60 ° C is poured into a steel or enameled container and the products are soaked in it for 2–3 hours. Then they are removed, the remaining oil is blotted soft cloth or paper and dry items for 2-4 days. Finished surfaces are polished with suede to a shine or varnished as desired.

Layering requires more effort and lasts longer.

For work you will need:

• oil mixture;
• fine-grained sanding paper;
• sponge, brush or roller;
• clean rag;
• a piece of suede

Fresh boards are thoroughly dried before processing, the moisture in them should be no more than 15%. Impregnation is carried out in a dry room or outdoors in clear weather. All work is done with gloves.

1. The material is sanded, smoothing out irregularities, cleaned of sawdust and wiped with a dry cloth.
2. The composition heated to +60–70°C is applied along the fibers with a brush or other handy tool. Dry porous wood absorbs hot oil almost without residue, therefore, after the first application, a second application is usually required after 10-15 minutes. Gently rub the oil into the finely porous material so that it does not spread and is evenly distributed over the surface. Stop work after the board begins to lacquer shine.
3. The oiled boards are left alone for another 30 minutes, then the remains of the composition are removed with a sponge, and the wood is left to dry. For drying oil, this period is on average 24 hours, if natural linseed oil without additives is used, drying can take more than 3 days.
4. The products are covered with the second layer after the previous one has completely dried. The procedure is carried out in a similar way. Depending on the type of wood, it is necessary to apply not 2, but more repeated layers with a period of several days in order to achieve a dense, uniform outer layer.
5. When the wood is completely ready and dry, it is polished with suede, achieving an even sheen.

You can check the quality of the coating by applying a couple of drops of water to the surface. If after a few minutes the moisture remains in place, the impregnation of the wood is done well.

You can see about the qualities of impregnations based on linseed oil in this video:

Linseed oil penetrates into the depth of the tree by 2–3 mm, which allows it to provide sufficient protective properties for several months. The impregnation can be renewed at any time after the coating ceases to perform its functions and begins to break down.

Upon completion of work, all used materials - brushes, sponges, rags - must be immediately soaked in water, and rags and paper should be destroyed. Linseed oil oxidizes easily in air and can cause spontaneous combustion.

Flaxseed oil is a natural substance obtained by cold or hot pressing of flaxseeds. Pure oil can be used as a stand-alone top coat, but it is ineffective in the untreated state due to its low polymerization (drying) ability.

Speaking about the impregnation of wood with linseed oil, as a rule, they mean the use of drying oil. This is a composition modified by heat treatment and the addition of chemical additives that accelerate the polymerization process. Drying oil is also called "boiled" or "boiled" linseed oil.

Features of finishing with raw oil and drying oil

When processing wooden products with pure linseed oil, you should be prepared not only for long-term drying, which can take up to 3 days (for each layer), but also to know a number of important features. The raw product is actively absorbed into the structure of the wood, so the coating of wood with linseed oil has to be done in 5-7 or more layers. Drying on the outside, it polymerizes poorly inside, which is why a dry-looking product can leave oil stains for a long time. Exposure to ultraviolet significantly speeds up the drying process. In the sun, treated wood can dry in 6-8 hours, but the tone of the coating will change: it will become yellowish or even slightly brown.

Drying oil, due to the high polymerization rate, has completely different properties: it dries quickly, is not so actively absorbed, and does not change its color. This makes it more practical to use. Regardless of the conditions, the answer to the question of how long the drying oil dries is unequivocal - no more than a day (at 20 ° C). This sets it apart from raw linseed oil. Further talking about this type finishes, we will mean linseed drying oil.

Where is the best place to apply this finish?

Impregnation of wood with linseed oil does not provide solid protective film resistant to scratches and abrasion. But this kind decorative finishes valued for something else, first of all, - environmental friendliness, antiseptic properties, the ability to emphasize the texture of wood and keep it from cracking.

Linseed drying oil is used for finishing products used indoors. It is optimal for covering furniture surfaces that are not subject to intense abrasion, wooden walls and ceilings. She is being treated wooden utensils, Kids toys. As a decorative and protective finish, it is appropriate to apply linseed oil to the surface of precious woods to maximize their natural qualities.

How to coat wood with linseed oil?

Training. The oil is applied to a dry and sanded surface. The moisture content of the wood must be at least 15%. Work is recommended to be carried out at a relative humidity of not more than 80%. When applying the composition to oily wood species, the prepared surface is additionally wiped with white spirit.

Application. To work, use a brush, swab or lint-free cloth. The composition is evenly distributed on the surface, and allowed to penetrate into the structure of the tree for 15-30 minutes. Excess oil that is no longer absorbed is wiped off with a cloth or swab along the fibers. Keep the oil evenly distributed on the surface to avoid staining.

Each new layer is applied after complete polymerization of the previous one with preliminary grinding. The number of necessary layers (in the case of drying oil from 1 to 4) depends on the characteristics of the product and the type of wood (small-vascular species require fewer layers due to low absorbency).

The time of complete drying of each layer is up to 24 hours.

How to restore the oil coating?

Over time, the surface impregnated with linseed oil changes its color, begins to look dry or wears off. This coating short-lived, but this disadvantage is compensated by the ease of its restoration. When applying a second layer, the oil will hide all scratches and return the external attractiveness of the wood. If desired, linseed oil can be tinted with pigments, reaching the desired color shades. For products not subject to intensive use, the restoration procedure is carried out every two to three years.

What is oil wax and how to make it yourself?

Linseed oil with wax is an effective decorative and protective coating that gives wood high moisture-proof properties and increases its wear resistance. The impregnation adds a silky sheen to the surfaces and enhances the natural qualities of the wood. Suitable for processing light and dark woods. Fully natural impregnation Ideal for finishing wooden floors, stairs, doors, furniture and other items subject to heavy wear.

Linseed oil and wood wax are easy to make yourself. The easiest way: add grated beeswax to the oil heated in a water bath and bring to a homogeneous consistency. The classic proportion by weight is 1:1. The ratio of wax and linseed oil can be varied, creating compositions of varying degrees of viscosity: from thick mastics to liquid impregnations that penetrate deep into the wood structure.

How to avoid spontaneous combustion?

The process of oil oxidation upon contact with air is accompanied by an increase in temperature, which can lead to spontaneous combustion of steam-oil rags, swabs, sponges, etc. All consumables that were used to wipe linseed oil should be thoroughly dried outdoors in a straightened state before disposal, and it is better to soak in water or immediately burn them. Sealed containers are used to store the dispenser and other tools in contact with oil.

AT modern houses a lot of wood. Of course, there used to be more. But even now wooden parts there are a lot of things in the house (knife handles, window sills, cutting boards, door handles, door jambs, handicrafts and so on). Like any other element, wood can age and deteriorate. Therefore, the question How to treat wood with oil to make it last longer? - This actual question not only in antiquity (when wood was the main building material), but also now.

How to treat wood with oil? Well, you probably know that there are building supermarkets. And in construction supermarkets there are entire departments with varnishes, stains and other wood impregnations. But on our site, we prefer methods, so this article is mainly about what you can do to process wood yourself.

So let's get started. And let's start from the very easy way wood processing - impregnation with simple vegetable oil.

Impregnation of wood with vegetable oil is one of the oldest ways to process it. The main purpose of wood impregnation with oil is to increase the moisture protection of wooden products. So, wood itself is hydrophilic (loves water) and swells when water enters. Then it dries. Then it swells. And after a few cycles (depending on the amount of water, air humidity, etc.), the wood cracks. Which does not improve either its mechanical or its aesthetic properties.

Whereas impregnating wood with oil

• a) closes the smallest pores of wood, polymerizing on the surface;
• b) makes large pores and the entire surface hydrophobic (water-repellent).

Well, besides this, the impregnation of wood with oil increases its aesthetics, showing the structure of the tree. What looks prettier than when the tree structure is not visible.

How oil works: vegetable oils, remaining in the air, under the influence of oxygen, light and heat, thicken, and in a thin layer they “dry out” (polymerize), turning into a semi-solid mass. This is characteristic property inherent in those vegetable oils, which include polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular linoleic and linolenic. The more of them, the greater the drying ability of the oil. Oils differ in the highest content of glycerides of linolenic and linoleic acids:

• linen
• hemp.

Sunflower oil works worse because it has fewer polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Let's see how this is applied in practice.

How can linseed oil be used in wood processing.

For example you have wooden handle knife you want to process. The easiest way is to pick up the oil and rub the handle well. Wait for absorption. Rub again. And so on - until you get bored. In principle, this is enough for the household level. But if you want more (for example, increased resistance to water), then you can do the following.

The knife handle (or other product) should be placed in linseed oil for several days. To do this, the knife can be placed in a jar with a screw-on lid with a thin slot for the blade, which, after placing the knife in it, must be hermetically sealed.

When the wood of the cutting is soaked through, it must be wiped with a smooth, dry rag. After that, let it dry completely for a few weeks. When the oil evaporates, the surface is oxidized and polymerized, which after some time becomes strong and elastic.

As you noticed, the period is several weeks for the oil to dry when processing wood.

Why? Everything is very simple.

Vegetable oil in its natural form, even with a high content of linolenic acid, oxidizes extremely slowly. To reduce the drying time, the oil is subjected to heat treatment with the addition of metal compounds (desiccants) to its composition. When heated in oil, substances that slow down hardening decompose, and metal salts provide faster oxidation.

Thus we get drying oils- compositions that, within 6-36 hours (depending on the composition, preparation technology and additives used) after being applied to the surface, turn into a hard, elastic film. As you understand, the use of drying oil significantly speeds up the process. Drying oil can be bought at any store.

But as we said at the beginning, we're trying to find ways self processing wood. So let's go further.

The first way to accelerate the polymerization of oil. You can buy both linseed oil and desiccant at the art store. well and heat treatment provide with the help of friction - rub the oil well into the wooden product for, say, half an hour.

It's easy and simple 🙂 Although it's cheaper - it must be considered ...

Second way to speed up the drying and polymerization of the oil is to dilute the oil by half with turpentine. Turpentine is a mixture essential oils, which are obtained by extraction from resins coniferous trees(i.e. from resin).

In the case of dilution with turpentine, the drying time is reduced to 1-2 weeks. Also keep in mind that turpentine is a toxic substance (see Wikipedia on this) and should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin, let alone breathe or drink it.

If you want not only to speed up the drying of the treated product, but to change its color, then you can dilute the oil by half with tar. Tar is a product of dry distillation of wood (wood is burned without air access). That is, this is the same turpentine, only in a coarser and much less toxic form.

Linseed oil can also be mixed with wax. Wax dissolves in linseed oil (if you do this by heating, then use a water bath and keep a fire extinguisher handy), and when treating wood with this composition, you not only oil, but also wax the surface. This enhances the water-repellent properties of wood many times over.

Naturally, the wood processing methods do not end there. But we will finish for now, leaving other ways for next time.

Happy woodworking!

One of the very first building materials in human history is wood. Houses were built from it, household items and furniture were made - and all thanks to its strength, environmental cleanliness and warmth. Despite all its advantages, wood also needs protection.

How to protect wooden surfaces?

Wood is a material capable of large quantities absorb water. Hydrophilicity causes drying, cracking and deterioration of the material. Of course, small pieces of wood are easier to replace than to protect, but in the case of various designs only the processing of wooden products can help.

For this purpose, apply various substances, which not only prevent the penetration of moisture into the structure of the material, but also protect it from the harmful effects of environmental factors.

Linseed oil properties

Treatment of wood with linseed oil allows you to restore the appearance of the material, increases its service life and gives it water and dirt-repellent properties. You can tint the liquid to any shade by adding special pigments.

For wood, it emphasizes its natural tone, highlighting the texture and relief, while protecting against rot, mold and fungus. After processing, the products continue to breathe, despite the resulting water-repellent properties. In addition, the oil increases the resistance of wood to drying, peeling, discoloration and cracking.

Impregnation with linseed oil does not form a dense film on the surface of products, which is characteristic of many other protective substances. The tool penetrates directly into the structure of the material, endowing it with certain properties. The resulting coating is absolutely safe for humans and does not harm health.

Flaxseed Oil Benefits

AT construction stores can be found today wide range of protective substances and liquids, but many of them can be harmful to human health. One of the very best protective materials considered linseed oil. For the tree it great option, since the product is not only safe, but also has a strong waterproofing effect. Flaxseed oil has the following benefits:

• Clogging the smallest pores of wood.
• Ecological cleanliness and safety.
• Water repellent properties.
• Improving the appearance of the treated surface.

The components that make up linseed oil, under the influence of certain factors environment undergo the polymerization process. As a result, the hardness and viscosity of the oil increase. Protective properties and the ability to solidify are directly dependent on the amount of glycerides contained acids - linoleic and linolenic.

After the wood is covered with a layer of oil, it is left to dry completely so that the impregnation can gain maximum properties. Complete drying takes about 2-3 weeks. You can speed up this process with wax, tar or turpentine.

When working with turpentine, safety precautions must be observed, since it is a toxic substance and can cause an allergic reaction. Direct contact with bare skin may cause thermal burns.

Tar - a product of dry distillation of wood, is, in fact, the same turpentine, only less toxic. The best option- take regular wax. It is dissolved in a water bath and mixed with linseed oil, which not only speeds up the drying process of the coating, but also increases the water-repellent properties.

Coating wood with linseed oil at home

To impregnate wood products, it is enough to purchase paint and varnish material in any specialized store, in this case, linseed oil. If you plan to use varnish, then it is preheated.

The mixture of oil and wax should not be brought to a boil: this can damage the surface of the wood and cause burns if handled carelessly. With hands or a foam rubber sponge, the composition is applied to the surface in several layers, after which it is left to dry completely for several days.

Often they resort to complete impregnation of wood - they lower it into a container with linseed oil and stand it for several hours. The appearance of air bubbles on the surface of the liquid indicates that the impregnation process has begun.

Linseed oil for wood is perfectly absorbed. For this reason, after the end of processing, no traces remain on the surface of the products, but at the same time, the material acquires increased strength and wear resistance. This composition is often covered wooden windows, because it protects them from moisture, fungus and mold, which can lead to damage to the product and its decay.

Any wooden surface can be treated with protective agents. Linseed oil contains no artificial or harmful ingredients, so it can be applied to items such as furniture, dishes, children's toys, floor and ceiling coverings, wooden windows.

The main condition for processing is a necessarily dried surface. The moisture content of the wood must not exceed 14%. So old wood before impregnation, be sure to remove paint and varnish, after which they clean the surface from debris, dirt and dust. You can not wipe it with a wet cloth - the moisture will be absorbed immediately. Then the wood is cleaned with sandpaper and the resulting dust is swept away. The minimum air humidity in the room where the work will be carried out should be 70%. Outdoors, the procedure is best done in sunny, warm weather.

Linseed oil (for wood) is applied several times in a thin layer. Those products that are subject to frequent use are processed several times a year, which can significantly extend their service life. For all other wooden items, the procedure can be carried out once every few years. It is not worth treating the surface with oil if it has already been treated with paint or varnish.

The amount of oil applied at one time depends on the texture of the surface and the thickness of the wood. Most thin layer freezes in 24 hours. If necessary, the impregnation is repeated several times.

Oil is applied with a regular brush or special sponges made of foam rubber. All tools at the end of work are kept in cold water. The remaining oil is stored in a cool dark place at a temperature not exceeding 0 ° C.

Better protection wooden surface guaranteed oil wax. It is based on linseed oil and bean wax, which gives the surface a sheen and changes its shade. It is impregnated with light wood species, including valuable ones, from which stairs, windows, furniture, doors, and floor coverings are made.

Pure linseed oil is mainly applied to products that are used outdoors, since it only in its pure and concentrated form has the necessary water and dirt-repellent properties. For this reason, for processing walls wooden buildings often use this substance.

Linseed oil for wood is considered one of the most effective, inexpensive and versatile protective equipment. The impregnation process takes a lot of time, but the end result is worth the time spent.

There are two main ways to treat wood with linseed oil - soaking and rubbing.

Method one: rubbing

fine-grained sandpaper moisten in drying oil or oil and rub the wood along the fibers with it. A similar procedure is carried out three to four times with a break of 24-48 hours, necessary for the surface to dry. AT last time sandpaper is replaced with ordinary oiled rags or a soft cloth. This processing method is used mainly when impregnating large-area products.

Second way: soaking

Use it for processing small items made of wood - knife handles, children's toys, crafts. The product is completely immersed in linseed oil for several days, after which it is wiped with a soft cloth and dried. Wood is impregnated with oil for several weeks due to its extremely slow polymerization.

There are two ways to speed up the drying process:

1. Add driers to the oil - substances that accelerate polymerization.
2. Replace it with drying oil.

In principle, drying oil is the same oil, only it contains metal oxides. The duration of the wood processing process is explained by the fact that natural composition substances contains a large number of linoleic acid, which does not allow it to harden.

Desiccants, in turn, are hardeners that are added to most paints and varnishes. They are sold in ordinary hardware stores.

Why is wood treated with linseed oil?

1. Impregnation protects products much better than varnishing. In the second case, all dents and scratches remain on the surface, which reduce the characteristics of the composition due to water entering the formed cracks.
2. The oil gives the surface of the wood a soft sheen that does not fade with time.
3. Preservation of the original texture of the object and its pleasant texture.
4. Impregnation of wood with oil allows you to protect it from decay and moisture by clogging the smallest pores.

The process of such processing is quite long, but the end result is worth the time spent. By the way, linseed oil can be replaced with hemp - the effect of it is similar.

Varnish, as already mentioned, is better not to use - over time, such a coating begins to crack, the wood absorbs water and begins to deteriorate and swell. Linseed oil penetrates the structure of the material, preventing cracks and moisture absorption. Such a coating for a long time retains an attractive appearance of the product.

Technical oil

For wood processing, not only edible, but also technical linseed oil is used. The natural material forms a thin and durable light polymerizing film on the surface that protects against pests, moisture and corrosion. For this reason, flaxseed oil is so widely used and used in different areas human activities, ranging from the burnishing of metals to the creation of tools for artists.

Application area

In the construction industry, linseed oil is used as the basis for creating drying oil. In many of its characteristics, it is significantly superior to substances developed by chemical synthesis, while maintaining its safe properties.

In construction, linseed oil is used for impregnation and processing various products and buildings made of wood - baths, saunas, log cabins. The resulting coating protects the surface from moisture penetration, does not allow decay, deformation under the influence of high temperatures and the appearance of fungus and mold.

When erecting a log cabin of a bath, before the surface of the wood is covered paintwork materials, it is carefully impregnated with technical linseed oil. This allows you to protect the log house from all sides and extend its life several times.

Linseed oil is very widely used in art, especially in painting, as a solvent for oil-based varnishes and paints. In addition, it is used to clean the brushes. The main difference between oil and turpentine and solvent used for similar purposes is affordable price and no bad odor.

Features of linseed oil

Only purified linseed oil is used for wood coating. The cleaning process allows you to get a composition that dries quickly and does not undergo yellowing on the surface of the products. If non-polymerizable acids are removed from the oil, it forms a stronger film on the wood. Purified manually cold-pressed, it has good properties - it dries quickly, is thicker than its counterparts and practically does not turn yellow, especially if it was kept in the sun.

Flaxseed oil is sold in pharmacies, construction and hardware stores, and in the latter often with special additives. It is better not to use food - it polymerizes for too long and does not have the necessary qualities. Its feature, which is attributed to both minuses and pluses, is a change in the shade of wood to a darker one, which, however, furniture makers like to use.