Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    East Ballina
    Posts
    0

    Default Oils Vs Polyurethane

    Hi Guys,

    Really new to this...

    My understanding so far is there is polyurethane and the like for a clear finish, oil and water based,( to differing degrees of gloss), or stains with incorporated finish.

    What about oils? I keep seeing people saying they use tung/danish oil and the finish looks great. Is this instead of poly, or do you still apply poly after for durability?

    Cheers

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    110

    Default

    Hello HelloFellow Fellow,
    Yes you can get a brilliant finish using Tung Oil, or Scandinavian Oil or certain Danish oils without the need for Polyurethane. There's a certain amount of work required, but the results, in my opinion, are worth it.
    The pictures below are all of Oil finished wood.

    Regards,

    Rob
    Attached Images Attached Images

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    723

    Default

    My take is that poly looks great in years 1-2, good in years 2-3, ok in years 3-4, pretty ordinary in 4-5, and shabby by 5-6. Then you have to sand back to bare timber and start all over again.

    Oil looks good in years 1-2, good in years 2-3, good in years 3-4, good in years 4-5, good in years 5-6, good in years 6-7, good in years 7-8... By about year 30-40 it's had time to fall out of fashion and come back into fashion and needs a really good clean and polish and decent reoil.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    East Ballina
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Thanks guys,

    I have now experimented with both.
    Taken a liking to Danish oil with a was finish.

    So where does Shelac fit in compared to poly?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    East Ballina
    Posts
    0

    Default

    And for that matter - laquer?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    0

    Default

    The typical 'oil' finish (and that goes under many brand names) is likely to include a resin, poly or alkyd.

    If you want a pure oil finish then go hunting, read the makers' tech sheets and get prepared to be obsessive

    Shellac vs 'poly': asking that question here is a bit on the lazy side. Google is your friend.
    Cheers, Ern

Similar Threads

  1. Oils aint Oils
    By Jerryj in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 6th February 2011, 03:34 PM
  2. oils aint oils
    By Burfodus in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 20th August 2010, 08:26 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •