All Tried & True Wood Finishes are based in a Polymerized Linseed Oil system. Understanding a few basic techniques will make the use of our finishes easy and your results successful.
Tried & True Wood Finishes are based in a partially cured Linseed Oil. Proper application completes the curing process.
Instructions for using Tried & True Wood Finishes
The rule to remember for applying a traditional hand rubbed finish is:
Warm, thin, dry, and cure.
You can obtain good results by following and repeating this simple procedure.
The wood you are working on and the finish you are using should be maintained at room temperature (about 70 degrees F.)
Apply a thin coat. Just wet the surface. It is almost impossible to use too little. Allow the finish to stand on the surface (Danish Oil about 5 minutes. Original Wood Finish and Varnish Oil about 1 hour.)
Wipe down the surface with a clean, lint free cloth. (If you are moving finish around, you have used too much.) Rub the surface until it is completely dry.
Allow to cure 24 hours.
Burnish with 0000 steel wool and/or a soft cloth.
Retpeat as desired. Additional coats deepen the shine and increase protection.
Clean up
Most clean up can be done with mild soap and warm water, as long as the finish is still liquid. High quality brushes can be cleaned with turpentine or citrus thinner.
Tried & True Wood Finishes are non-hazardous and non-flammable. However, common sense and this procedure should prevail when disposing of oily cloths: Dispose of oily cloths by putting them in water and then into a plastic bag. Put the plastic bag out doors in a trash container.
Maintenance
Tried & True Wood Finishes are easy to maintain. Polymerized Linseed Oil gets harder and more durable as it ages. Since there are no solvents in Tried & True the finish does not dry out and dull with age. Basic manitenance is to periodically buff with a soft to renew the shine. Spills can be cleaned up with a damp cloth or mild soap and water solution. Buff dry after washing.
If water is allowed to sit on the surface for too long the grain of the wood may raise up under the finish. This does not damage the finish. Allow the spot to thoroughly dry and it will usually disappear. If the surface still seems dull the shine can be revived by rubbing with 0000 steel wool and then buffing with a soft cloth.
Unless the surface receives very hard use, it is not generally necessary to periodically re-oil. If your finish is showing some wear and tear, just re-apply according to the instructions. Apply to a clean surface. Stripping is not necessary.
Hints
These are hand rubbed finishes. The more you rub, the better they look.
The finish reponds well to power buffing.
If the surface looks dull, it probably is getting a haze from washing. Just buff to revive the shine.
Do not use spray cleaning or polishing products. They contain silicones which will soften the finish.
If you need to thin the Original Wood Finish or the Varnish Oil, use Danish Oil.