Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi. I’m working on a hand carved sign wedding gift and am having finishing issues with Danish oil.  Highly figured western maple. Sanded to 220, applied 3 coats of Danish oil (flood first, 2 thinner coats), am letting it dry for several days before applying dewaxed shellac. Tried shellac for the first time on the back (non carved) side and it looks great. Actual show side has developed gray blotchy spots. Looks terrible. Seems like getting worse as days go by.  Not sure if I can upload photos here…

Any ideas on what to do on the blotchy side? Wet sand with thin coat of Danish oil?  I’d hate to have to wait another week for oil to dry before I can try to apply shellac. 

Thanks 
Ken

Quote

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted

Go reply to a couple other posts, that will earn you the privilege to attach photos.

My experience with Danish oil is somewhat limited, but as I recall, it cures rather slowly. My guess is that the oil wasn't fully cured. Good news is that unless you used tinted Danish oil, you should be able to wet sand with mineral spirits, and may not need to add any more oil.

  • Like 1
Posted

What is the brand or shop-blend ratio of the oil please?

there are oils that take many days or even weeks to fully cure before a topcoat can be applied. Your problems began once both surfaces were sealed, which is what triggered that suspicion.

Posted
On 7/25/2024 at 9:02 AM, gee-dub said:

there are oils that take many days or even weeks to fully cure before a topcoat can be applied.

This can be a real challenge, making sure the danish oil is cured properly.  I used Watco danish oil on a dining table to mach it with some chairs we had for it.  it sat in the shop for about 8 days and I sprayed the top coat and got an orange peal texture that I had to sand back down.  Fortunately it was the underside.  I let the whole project sit for another week.  That was in California, I would imagine in someplace with humidity it would take even longer.

Posted

Thanks all. The oil has been on for about a week.  I’m in the northeast, so definitely plenty of humidity. It was Watco Danish oil.  Note that the graying/blotchiness is happening with just the oil being applied (nothing on top of the oil yet). The graying didn’t happen on the back side, so I went ahead and applied shellac and it looks fine.  

Posted
On 7/25/2024 at 10:07 AM, Kalep said:

Note that the graying/blotchiness is happening with just the oil being applied (nothing on top of the oil yet). The graying didn’t happen on the back side, so I went ahead and applied shellac and it looks fine.  

Thanks for clarifying that Kalep.  I misunderstood or was in a hurry.  Sorry about that.  The blotching I get because that is just a challenge with some woods and oils.  The discoloration has me stumped.  Hopefully you will be able to post pics soon.  I know that when I am asking questions it seems like no matter how specific I try to be . . . when I post a picture people go "Oh, now I see what you are talking about" :D

Posted

I read into the original post, that you had already applied shellac, and then the blotches appeared. Pics will surely help,as soon as you can add some.

FWIW, I have a box finished with Watco Danish oil. Sanded to 320 before first application, and wet-sanded each subsequent application with 600 grit before wiping back the excess. 24 to 36 hours between coats, 6 coats total, and let it sit for a week before use. The think still feels like a stick of butter in my hands...smoooth.

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 262 Guests (See full list)

  • Forum Statistics

    31.5k
    Total Topics
    426.6k
    Total Posts
  • Member Statistics

    24,302
    Total Members
    3,644
    Most Online
    Train41
    Newest Member
    Train41
    Joined