Linseed oil + old wood = black colour

[JB]

I've applied a coat of linseed oil to a table made from very old weathered red gum and the surfaces that were most weathered have gone black. I'm hoping it might lighten slightly as the oil dries out but I want to persist with an oil finish if possible. Would a tung oil or a Danish oil be less likely to make the wood go black? Or any other product?
Perhaps someone has had this problem oiling decking boards on a verandah or other outdoor timber.
BTW it's too late to sand through the weathered timber, besides which I would have to sand about 1/2" off anyway.

[echnidna]

thats normal for linseed, tung oil's not quite soi bad but.........

[mic-d]

I know TRADAC recommend not using linseed oil on timber as it apparently encourages mould. If its gone black immediately, then its not mould I guess, but there you go.

Cheers
Michael

[barryr]

I know TRADAC recommend not using linseed oil on timber as it apparently encourages mould. If its gone black immediately, then its not mould I guess, but there you go.

Cheers
Michael

don't use Linseed on wood - that's kind of like saying don't put milk on your cornflakes - the two go together.