polyurethane dilemna

[vidak ivan]

Hello all, for some time now I have been pondering as to how to fix all of the polyurethane varnished woodwork in my 25 year old home.
All the skirting, architraves, timber doors, stairs look like they are a hundred years old. The windows are even worse where the sun has baked the varnish. My question is what should I have used instead of polyurethane, is there anything better even if one would have to re coat the wood work periodically.
Any ideas gratefully welcome.
Ivan

[rjtwin501]

Weather proof oil thinned down with turps does an excellent job of bringing life back to old skirtings and architraves et.
I have used it for a lot of renovations. It is ideal for bringing lots of timber back to life.
Mostly I wipe it on with a rag, be careful how you dispose of the rag "read the can"
cheers John T

[vidak ivan]

Thanks John T for the reply. Can you please elaborate on this "weather proof oil"
Where to find it?

[rjtwin501]

Weather proof oil is a "Flood" product. It is linseed oil based.
Flood also produce products such as ESP, Floetrol, Penetrol and E.B.
I get mine from Miter 10 as Bunnings don't stock it. I have also seen it on the shelf of our local Paint Rite store.
You wont need much as it goes a long way.
To do your window sills simply remove all loose and flaky material, light sand then apply thinned oil.
If your sills are very dry they may need more coats.
I don't recommend putting it on to thick as it will take ages to dry and attract fluff.
To thin out any thick coats simply wipe over with a turps soaked rag.
It is also excellent for slate.
Being a natural oil once dry it can be gone over with most other finishes.
Make sure you hang out your rags to dry as they can self combust.
I owned and operated a hardware store for 40 plus years and have recommended Flood products with much success.
Penetrol is another amazing Flood product with many uses
Happy to offer more advice.
cheers
John T

[rob streeper]

Marine spar varnish will hold up if you need a hard surface.

[vidak ivan]

Very grateful, thanks guys.

[Bob38S]

+1 for the Flood products.

As an experiment I used Marine Penetrol bought from a chandlery on a recommendation from a yachtie who uses it on wooden fittings. The experiment now approaching 3+ years was on a bbq table with some darkish foreign timber slats on an aluminium frame. Ragged on 2 coats and the results are still good.