old weathered oregon what finish to use making a plinth

[don77]

HI All

It has been a long time... but I have found the forum again...

I was replacing an old pergola made from Oregon 4 x 2....

It has been in the weather for a long time.. the ends were rotten...

Anyway after cutting the ends off the timber looked very sound on the inside... and put it in the garage

So I wanted to make a plinth... and thought I would use it...

gave it a quick plane and started work....

the question is how to finish it ?? oiled or clear coat

What are your thoughts

Cheers Don

[Pat]

Don, what is the end use?

I recently turned a plinth for a bust, that was going to live on a redgum table that is in an "outdoor" entertaining area, undercover. I went with spray epoxy resin to give it the shine and weather/sun protection.

[Arron]

Both will work. Your choice.

The only thing to add is that, like any softwood, if you apply an oil direct to the Oregon then it will go blotchy. This is due to the differential absorption. There used to be a product called ‘Pine Sealer’ from Feast and Watson that you put on first and dealt with the problem. I think it’s been renamed as something else but can’t remember what. Give them a ring.

[don77]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, it is for indoor use as display..

Have tried using tung oil on an offcut looks good but the oil has not fully soaked in and is sticky to the touch after 24 hours.....

have not had this happen before.... So it looks like a spray clear finish at the moment....

Cheers Don

[don77]

Update

Tried a second off cut with oil all OK.... so have gone with oiled finish.. looks great.. all happy....

Cheers Don

[Pat]

Don, oil finishes are not fully "dry" until at least a month or so after the final coat. You have to build the coat up over a few weeks.

[don77]

Thanks All

Have tried another off cut and the result was very good. and colour was want I wanted.... also the timber it was not sticky...

So have oiled the plinth and very happy...

It is nice to use some of the timber which has been sitting round for a couple of years

Cheers Don