There are many ways to treat wood. For example, you can paint, stain, leave untreated, gray, or put the wood in oil. Wood oiling is a common way to preserve the structure and grain of the wood. Oiling wood makes the structure and the veins to be more noticeable. How does that work? However, there is much more to tell about oiling wood, which I discussed in this article. So read on quickly!
What oil to use on wood?
Many oil-based products on the market allow you to put wood in the oil. There is oil for furniture and tables that are used indoors, and there is oil to protect the outside wood.
Oil For Indoor Wood
A wooden dining table or indoor coffee table is not affected by the weather, so you use a different oil. This oil comes in small bottles and is generally applied with a cloth or roller.
It is an oil specially developed for furniture and indoor use. A large collection of furniture oil is available in the market, depending on your location and online.
Oil For Outdoor Wood
Wooden furniture, wooden decking, garden sheds, or outside fences are exposed to the elements; UV radiation, rain, cold, heat, hail, etc. The weather conditions significantly impact the wood, requiring a different type of oil to protect the wood.
Wood Oiling With Olive Oil
Olive oil is generally used for consumption and skin care. The oil is not intended for oiling wood. You can use it for that, but it’s not the purpose.
Do not under any circumstances use it for wood that is outside. Oil foil is not suitable for that. It does not provide sufficient weather protection.
In addition, the olive oil penetrates deep into the wood and can start to smell. It is challenging to get this air out of the wood. If the wood is inside the living room, it is not pleasant air.
Oils from building material store have been added to give the wood extra nutrition. They protect the wood better against moisture and nourish the wood grain, making the color pop.
In short, you can oil wood used indoors with olive oil, but is it the best solution? No, it is not!
Wood Oiling With Sunflower Oil
What has been written about olive oil also applies to sunflower oil. This oil also lacks the additive that provides extra protection for the wood.
Sunflower oil is used for consumption for frying. It is suitable for that, which requires different oil properties. Sunflower oil does not have enough good properties to use as wood oil. For example, wood oil has insufficient properties for frying.
In summary: no, sunflower oil is not suitable for oiling wood. Only make use of oils mainly made for wood.
How to Oil Wood?
Then put the wood in the oil. For indoor wood, follow the step-by-step plan below:
- Clean the wood from dirt and grease. This is the first step.
- Then the object is sanded with fine grit sandpaper, grit 240-280.
- Consistently sand with the grain of the wood
- Remove the dust with a soft brush or soft cloth.
- Now apply the oil.
- If you want to color a table top with oil, you can apply the oil to the table top and then rub it with a soft cloth.
- Always read the instructions on the packaging of the product you are using.
- After about ten minutes, rub the table top with a clean, soft cloth and absorb the excess oil.
That is how you can oil furniture for indoor use.
Kindly note that the procedures to oil wood are not the same for garden sheds, fences, and decking.
Steps to Oil wood for Decking, Fences, Garden sheds
- First, clean the wood thoroughly. Remove dirt and grime. You can use a high-pressure cleaner for this. Set the high-pressure cleaner to spray mode and not to jet mode. This mode makes circles in the wood and damages the wood, and you will continue to see this after staining. Gently spray the wood.
- Allow the oiled wood to dry for at least 24 hours.
- Before you start oiling, you have to sand the wood. At least, if you can, because decking boards with grooves are difficult to sand.
- In this case, I advise you to check the decking for rough spots that you might need to sand down. The sanding ensures that the wood becomes smooth, improving the oil’s adhesion.
- Open the can and stir the oil well to mix all the ingredients.
- Use a block brush or flat brush to apply the oil. You can use a small flat brush or roller for smaller parts, such as furniture.
- Apply the oil with the correct rollers or brushes. Apply the oil in the grain’s direction. Ensure the nooks and crannies are well covered in the oil.
- Roll or brush the oil with the grain, and finish the project in one go. So don’t stop halfway.
- Allow the oil soak in for 24 hours, between any layers of stain. The more layers you apply, the deeper the color becomes. I recommend that you lightly sand the object before applying the second coat.
How to Oil Pressure-treated Wood
Pressure-treated wood from a fence, decking, or garden shed can also be put in the oil. After all, it’s wood too!
The method is described above for wood that is used outdoors. And you can also use all oils that are suitable for outdoor use.
Learn more about Pressure-treated wood.
