If you own and maintain wooden furniture, you probably heard about teak and linseed oils. Both are popular wood finishes that protect wood surfaces from harsh outdoor conditions. You may wonder if you can mix them and enjoy their full benefits.
You can combine teak oil and linseed oil to enhance the look of your wooden furniture. However, there is limited information online about the exact ratio you can follow.
This article will focus more on the properties of teak and linseed oils. We will share the pros and cons of applying them to your furniture. We will also teach you other ingredients you can mix with these oil finishes.
What Is Teak Oil?
Teak oil is often thought to come from a teak tree. However, that assumption would be incorrect.
Despite its name, teak oil derives from different types of oil. It uses a mix of tung, linseed, and mineral oils. Some teak oil products also contain resin and varnish. It can be difficult to know what teak oil really is. Different manufacturers use a unique blend of ingredients to serve many purposes.
The original teak oil was specifically made to finish teak wood, hence its name. But today, teak oil can be applied to any type of wood. It has become a commercial name for maintaining outdoor furniture.
Teak oil has several benefits, which vary depending on the exact ingredients used. Most, if not all, products can penetrate the dense wood grain. In doing so, the oil enhances the look of the wood, making it shinier and more appealing.
Teak oil also provides a certain amount of weather protection. It makes the wood resistant to moisture, UV rays, and natural weathering.
Plus, this finish has a considerably faster drying process than other wood oils. It allows you to use your furniture as soon as possible.
Despite these advantages, teak oil might contain toxic substances. Always read the ingredients label of the product before buying it. Another downside of teak oil is that it causes some of the natural teak oil to evaporate. It is often used as a temporary wood finish for hardwood furniture.
What Is Linseed Oil?
Linseed oil comes from the seeds of a flax plant. It is also called flaxseed or flax oil because of its origins.
Linseed oil is a versatile finish used in paints, stains, and varnish for wooden furniture. It penetrates deep into the wood grain to give it protective qualities. A wooden surface soaked with linseed oil can resist scratches and humidity changes.
Linseed oil is available in different types. Each has its pros and cons.
- Raw linseed oil: It is the purest and most natural form of linseed oil. Pure linseed oil is a great finish for wood. The only downside is its long drying period. It can take anywhere between two to ten weeks to fully dry, depending on the thickness and environment.
- Polymerized linseed oil: It comes from raw linseed oil that has been heated to 572°F (300°C) without oxygen. The process triggers a polymerization reaction, which decreases the drying time of the natural oil.
- Boiled linseed oil: Also known as BLO, this type of linseed oil is not exposed to any heat, despite its name. Instead, it uses a mix of raw flax oil and drying agents, such as petroleum-based compounds or heavy metals. Boiled linseed oil offers easy application and fast drying time. However, it can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while drying, which can harm your health.
Can You Mix Teak Oil and Linseed Oil?
Yes, you can mix pure teak oil and linseed oil. However, applying teak oil mixed with linseed oil can be a little redundant because the former might already contain flax oil. Combining both products leads to a very oily finish. It is great if you want to improve the appearance of the wood grain. There is also the added benefit of weather resistance.
If you want extra protection, consider adding another ingredient to the mixture. For example, varnish can make the wood extra durable.
Those who prefer an easy application and fast drying time can add thinner to the solution.
The possibilities are endless if you create your own wood finish mixture. Plus, you can potentially save money by buying things in bulk.
In general, teak and linseed oil are safe to use. That said, always take the necessary safety precautions when mixing different ingredients.
Rags soaked in boiled linseed oil or BLO can spontaneously catch on fire if not disposed of properly. To prevent this, allow the rags to dry completely away from heat sources. Once fully dry, put them inside a sealed container. Then, follow local regulations for hazardous waste disposal.
Conclusion
Teak and linseed oil are two popular wood finishes that strengthen and beautify wooden surfaces. If you want to enjoy the advantages they provide, you can mix both oil finishes. However, be careful of toxic ingredients and spontaneous combustion caused by improper disposal.
Are you interested in learning more about other wood oils? Feel free to browse our blog!
