Linseed oil is the perfect ally for successful wood maintenance, provided you know its little secrets. From properties to safety rules, learn how to tame this natural product to enhance your interior and exterior surfaces without making mistakes.
Essential for nourishing wood, linseed oil requires a certain amount of know-how. From exterior application to conservation rules, here is the essential for treating your surfaces effectively and safely.
Why use flaxseed oil?
L‘100% natural flaxseed oil can be used for maintain all types of wood (except teak which requires a dedicated oil) and many supports :
- furniture,
- parquet,
- paneling,
- cladding
- wooden garden furniture.
Once applieduniformelement on the surface to be treated,‘linseed oil dries then forms a protective layer: on the one hand it feeds the wood deep but the protected also bad weather (rain, hail, snow, wind, frost), UV, scratches, dust and graying. Note, however, that if its finish, more enveloping than‘a varnish, protects the wood against‘humidity, it does not make it completely impervious to vapor‘water.
She finally has antifungal properties and pushes them away insect attacks.
How to prepare the support before using a linseed oil treatment?
The wooden support you wish to treat with‘flaxseed oil should be clean and smooth. To do this, prepare it carefully. Settle in at the exteriorand, equipped with gloves and of protective glassessand the surface to be treated with a electric sander or abrasive sandpaper grit 150/180let the wood be soft, hard, raw or tinted. Dust off carefully to remove wood chips and impurities.
The dosage
L‘flaxseed oil should be diluted in a solvent, turpentine, to promote better adhesion of the preparation.
- For the soft woods (pine, fir, birch, etc.), mix in equal parts l‘linseed oil And the essence of terebenthine.
- For the harder woods (oak, beech, chestnut, Douglas…), plan two thirds of‘essence of terebenthine for a third of linseed oil.
Know that 500ml of mixture are necessary to cover 5 m².
The app
- The preparation linseed oil/turpentine s‘applies to brush. Choose a good quality brush that does not lose its bristles.
- Pass two layers and in the direction of the wood for a uniform result.
- For optimal drying, wait between 12 and 24 hours between each coat.
- Shell the surface at the‘help‘A tr sandpaperes end (150/180 grain) before applying the second coat: this will optimize the adhesion of the formula.
- Once the operation is completed, clean your brushes and rags with a little tere essencebenthine first, then Marseille soap and‘clear water.
- Let them dry in a properly ventilated area.
The treatment with‘flaxseed oil can be made every two years.
Other uses of linseed oil
Wood in all its forms can be treated and protected thanks tolinseed oil. That’s not all since this product can also be used on terracotta like terracotta tiles in order to waterproof. It also helps protect and make floors, splashbacks and other walls shine (shower for example), made of tiles.
Does linseed oil darken wood?
On the finishing side, its golden hue light darkelight woods. Be careful, it can also blacken exotic woods such as teak or ipe, so it is preferable to use a product dedicated to these species rather than linseed oil.
Is flaxseed oil dangerous?
Linseed oil has long been banned for food consumption in France due to its rapid oxidation which can lead to poisoning. As for cleaning, you will have to take care of its conservation! Know that it is necessary store flaxseed oil in a closed jar and take the same care with cloths soaked in linseed oil due to possible spontaneous combustion. So prefer to wet the cloth before storing it or putting it in an airtight jar.
How much does flaxseed oil cost? Where to find it?
For a one liter bottle of flaxseed oil, you need to count between 5 and 10 euros. The price may vary if it is virgin linseed oil or not. However, it is better to favor a non-food linseed oilextracted after cold pressing. To appropriate this “miraculous oilhead to DIY stores like Castorama, Leroy Merlin, Brico Dépôt, organic stores like Naturalia or even drugstores or supermarkets like Leclerc.
