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06/05/2008, 11:50 thunderhorse Joined on 16/11/2005 Deux-Sèvres Posts 178 Oiling beech worktops I've just fitted the kitchen out with (unoiled) beechwood tops, and bought 3V3 huile plan de travail (both Castorama). I suspect the oil is linseed, but it says nothing on the tin, and Castorama didn't know... The manufacturers of the worktops give one set of advice for oiling, and instructions on the tin are markedly different (thicker coats). C'est la vie. Friends have suggested making sure to use Danish oil, not linseed. So, is Danish oil any better than linseed? I also want to get the tops smooth and shiny asap. Would there likely be problems lighly sanding and oiling every week, say, until such is obtained? Thanks for advice. Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.    Report

06/05/2008, 11:57 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,731 Re: Oiling beech worktops Danish oil hardens, Linseed stays slightly sticky is the wisdom.  I've just made a beech dining table and kitchen cabinet and used Danish Oil as a finish. It can be hard work! The rule as I remember is to oil once an hour for a day, once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month therafter. Buffing in between. For the first few coats I denibbed using 240 grit finishing paper. Make the sanding very light, as oil does not refinish the surface. If possible I would try a cabinet scraper rather than sandpaper. Danish oil is not very shiny unless you wax over it. You might try using sanding sealer/oil on an offcut to see how it goes. After many hours of work on the table top a varnish finish looked like an awfully attractive alternative! Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

06/05/2008, 12:53 Lilly Joined on 23/08/2004 Dordogne Posts 77 Re: Oiling beech worktops Danish oil is your best bet, but I admit I have foung it difficult to find here, I have found it in a small bottle (no good for a floor!), if anyone knows how to find this in greater quantities I would be very greatfull. Incidently when the Danish oil is very dry you can indeed buff to a  shine, recommend buffing mop in the drill or similar attachment. Also if you can track it down a Hard wax oil is very hard wearing. cheers Lilly    Report

06/05/2008, 13:01 Cat Joined on 21/01/2005 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 2,787 Re: Oiling beech worktops There have been quite a few discussions in the past about oiling worktops and tables that you might like to read through Cathy Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...    Report

06/05/2008, 16:51 toni Joined on 28/01/2006 Posts 65 Re: Oiling beech worktops We have beech worktops both at home and in France In France we use the IKEA 'behandla' oil which absorbs very easily but seems quite light in texture and needs to be applied a bit more often than the one we use here which is called 'Osmo' which seems thicker and lasts longer between coats. It is a mixture between  oil and wax and is pretty good. I see on the back of the can that if you require ''a deeper satin finish the surface can be polished usung 'Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner' also available as a spray''. Haven't tried this but it might be worth looking into. The can says they have a website www.osmo.de.    Report

06/05/2008, 19:20 Scooby Joined on 25/09/2007 Peak District Posts 244 Re: Oiling beech worktops We used Danish oil (lots of coats!) and are very happy with the result.  We tried linseed oil first and it was a waste of time.  We did have to buy it in the UK though as we couldn't find anywhere that stocked it in France.    Report

06/05/2008, 21:33 thunderhorse Joined on 16/11/2005 Deux-Sèvres Posts 178 Re: Oiling beech worktops Many thanks so far. I'll continue with the 3V3 (I bought two tins, whatever oil it is...) and see how it goes. Opinion seems fairly divided on the issue of linseed v. Danish. Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.    Report

06/05/2008, 21:56 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 1,695 Re: Oiling beech worktops I used Danish oil to start with but could not be ar5ed with the regular re-application. Now I have a nice patinated farmhouse (grime) look with the added benefit that the anti-bacterial properties of the timber actually get a chance to earn their keep. Every dog has its day unless buried under several coats of Danish    Report

06/05/2008, 22:04 Christine Animal Joined on 14/05/2005 Deux-Sèvres Posts 4,111 Re: Oiling beech worktops Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood? Where we were before we had a wooden surround for a washbasin, but just because I fancied it like that.  It was varnished and was waterproof, but is it really practical for a worktop?   animalaidsaintaubin.monsite.orange.fr/ Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful    Report

07/05/2008, 0:05 Jacqui Too Joined on 23/08/2004 Shropshire / Dordogne 24 Posts 616 Re: Oiling beech worktops  Christine Animal wrote: Is there a reason for having beech worktops rather than granite, marble, tiles, etc. ?  A lot of you seem to be doing it, is it a fashion or you just like the idea of wood? Where we were before we had a wooden surround for a washbasin, but just because I fancied it like that.  It was varnished and was waterproof, but is it really practical for a worktop? I had beech block worktops in my last kitchen, which we bought from 'Howdens' and they also sold the 'oil' that sealed it, it was called 'Rustic oil' and came in 1lt. cans. I applied it to the tops 4 times with a light sanding in between over 4 days and the instruction said to reapply every few months, but in fact I only did it after 18months because it looked good and I am not looking for work!! when I eventually did them again (2 coats plus a bit of light sanding) they looked superb again. But would I have them again NOOOOO I have put granite in my new house and love 'em chop till my hearts content and no worries! Jackie At least with a spell-checker I can appear somewhat educated!    Report

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