Wood oil is used to enhance wood and it nourishes, protects, and replenishes wooden surfaces that have dried out. Two popular choices for polishing wood are teak oil and linseed oil.
Teak oil is best used for outdoor wooden surfaces, especially teak furniture, as it has UV protection agents. This can slow down the greying process of your wood furniture. Teak oil is not a natural oil but is made from various ingredients such as linseed oil and pure tung oil. Linseed oil, on the other hand, is a natural oil that brings out the wood’s natural shine.
There are other benefits to using teak and linseed oil. This article will discuss what teak and linseed oil are, as well as the pros and cons of using teak oil vs linseed oil.
What Is Teak Oil?
Teak oil is a popular choice for finishing oil as it protects and nourishes wood. While wood oil is typically derived from various wood species, teak oil is not extracted from a teak tree. It is not a natural oil but a formulation using a mix of pure tung and linseed oil.
It is called teak oil because this oil complements teak wood really well. Teak wood is preferred by most people to use for their outdoor furniture as it is a durable and strong hardwood.
Wood is generally a good material because of its strength and most wood has moisture-wicking properties. Wood is easy to clean and protects against mildew and other elements. However, wood furniture can turn grey over time, especially if exposed to the sun for a long time.
Teak oil is a great wood finish and is used to maintain the beauty of the wood.
Pros Of Using Teak Oil
Outdoor wood furniture can withstand various outdoor conditions and they do take quite the beating from the weather. Teak oil is easy to apply and is non-toxic so it is safe to use on your wood furniture.
While teak oil was specifically made for teak wood, it can still be used on other types of wood like mahogany, cedar, and rosewood. Applying teak oil on your wood furniture is great as it can protect the wood from sun, rain, or snow damage.
Teak oil can also prevent the warping or splitting of the wood’s surface and it can also slow down the greying of the wood. If your teak furniture is starting to grey, using teak oil can also restore the teak wood back to its golden honey color.
Cons Of Using Teak Oil
While teak oil protects and maintains teak and other woods, there are also disadvantages to using teak oil.
A teak oil finish looks good but if you have a lighter wood, it can darken your furniture to a degree. Using teak oil will also require regular maintenance and re-application every few months as the oil can wear off and leave the wood unprotected.
Teak oil is easy to apply but, not doing it correctly can cause your furniture to become sticky. Applying teak oil correctly is key to having well-finished wood.
How To Apply Teak Oil
Before applying teak oil to your wood furniture, clean the furniture first and make sure it is dry and dust-free. To apply teak oil, you will need a clean cloth or a brush that is made for oil-based products. If there are any rough spots or stains on the wood, sand the area first to create a smooth surface before applying the teak oil.
Once the wood is clean, brush or wipe the surface with a thin layer of teak oil. Make sure to go in the direction of the wood grain and that the teak oil is applied evenly. Once you have applied the teak oil throughout the surface, let the oil soak for 10 to 15 minutes then wipe the excess oil off with a clean cloth.
Let the wood dry for at least 24 hours before using the furniture. You can also apply additional coating if needed by repeating the whole process. Also, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before starting the oiling process.
What Is Linseed Oil?
Unlike teak oil, linseed oil is a natural oil that is extracted from linseed, which is the seed of a flax plant. You may probably be more familiar with its other name, flaxseed oil. Linseed, or flaxseed oil, is used not only as a wood finish but can also be used for cooking and even skincare.
Linseed oil is also a popular choice to use to polish wood and it can either be boiled or raw. Boiled linseed oil is typically used when oiling wooden surfaces as it has a faster drying time compared to raw linseed oil. Boiled linseed oil has a faster drying time as it has already been chemically modified to be able to dry quicker.
Linseed oil can be used on all types of wood with the exception of exterior oak. But, it is best to use linseed oil on hardwood or close-grained wood.
Pros Of Using Linseed Oil
There are several advantages of using linseed oil to oil wooden surfaces. Since linseed oil is a natural oil, it is an environmentally-friendly choice to use on your furniture.
Linseed oil can also protect the wood from getting scratches or other damages from repeated use. Oiling wood with linseed oil creates a protective layer that can prevent the wood from wearing out quickly.
Using linseed oil can also bring out the wood’s grain patterns and give the wood a natural shine. Aside from that, linseed oil has moisture-wicking properties that can also prevent the wood from warping due to changes in temperature.
Cons Of Using Linseed Oil
Like teak oil, using linseed oil also has its disadvantages.
Linseed oil has a yellowish color and since oil seeps through the grain of the wood, it can cause the wood to turn into a yellowish color over time. The wood can also bleed oil as the temperature or humidity changes. Aside from that, staining can also occur if colored liquids spill and seep through the wood.
The wood will also need regular maintenance you used linseed oil to polish the wood. Wooden surfaces oiled with linseed oil are susceptible to water marks the water is not wiped out as soon as possible. If you use linseed oil for your wooden surfaces, make sure to use a coaster for your glass to keep the water marks from forming.
When applying linseed oil, you have to be careful as the rags coated in linseed oil can be a fire hazard. It is best to dispose of linseed oiled rags properly to avoid fire accidents.
How To Apply Linseed Oil
Sand the wooden surface using 60-grit sanding paper. In the final part of the sanding process, use 120-grit sanding paper as the wood pores need to be open when applying linseed oil. If the wood has the previous varnishing to wax, sanding it first is an essential step. After sanding the wood, wipe away the sand dust using a dry brush.
Once you have finished sanding the wood, wipe the surface with a clean rag that is saturated with mineral spirits. You can also use a mixture of two-part ammonia and eight-part tap water if you do not have mineral spirits. make sure to wring out any excess liquid and that the rag is not dripping wet.
Using the ammonia mixture can change the wood’s coloring. Use mineral spirits instead if you don’t want that happening.
Once the wood is cleaned with mineral spirits (or the ammonia mixture), dry the wood with a clean cloth using small circular motions. Use a shop vac to remove any sawdust residue on the wood.
Once the wood is dry, pour the boiled linseed oil directly on the surface, and using a clean cloth, spread the oil on the wood using circular motions. Once you’ve finished oiling the entire wood, let the oil sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove any excess oil with a clean cloth once 15 to 20 minutes is over.
After removing any excess oil, let the wood dry for 24 to 48 hours undisturbed before applying a second coat of oil for protection. Before you repeat the process for the second coating, make sure to wipe away any dust or debris that accumulated.
Once you are done with the whole process, dispose of any oily rags in a separate bag or metal container before putting them in the trash.
Boiled Linseed Oil vs Teak Oil
Both linseed oil and teak oil are popular choices to polish wood.
If you have teak outdoor furniture, teak oil is a better option as it is designed specifically for teak wood. But, you can also use it on any wood. Teak oil is also best to use on outdoor furniture as it offers protection from UV radiation. You can also add a teak sealer over the teak oil once it is completely dry for additional protection.
Linseed oil, on the other hand, is best to use on an indoor wood surface as it is susceptible to water rings. If you want wood oil that dries fast, using teak oil is better than linseed oil. While boiled linseed oil dries fast, it still takes up to 24 hours to dry. Teak oil can dry in 24 hours or less.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of wood oils that you can use to polish wooden surfaces. Linseed oil and teak oil are two of the popular choices most people use because of their benefits.
Teak oil is made of pure tung oil and linseed oil while linseed oil is a natural oil extracted from the seed of the flax plant. Aside from teak and linseed oil, other wood oils that you can use for wood surfaces are Danish oil, China wood oil, and olive oil. We have discussed what the two oils offer and hopefully, this article gave you the information you need!
