Lemon oil

[Clayton717]

I keep hearing about lemon oil as a finish, followed by acrylic spray. You have got my curiosity up, I need more info, because I'm going to try it on my next intarsia piece. Do you spray it on or brush it on or how do you apply it? How long does it have to dry before clear coating it? and most of all on light colored woods will there be any yellowing affect?

Does this method bring out the grain and beauty of the wood more than polyurathane? any input would be great, thanks.

[Dan]

I haven't used lemon oil, but I do believe it will bring out the grain. You have to watch it though when doing intarsia. I finished a piece and it looked good before the finish, but I rubbed some BLO and the grain popped out too much and changed the way it looked. My guess is lemon oil may act the same. I'd give it a try though.

 

As for how to apply it, I've seen Steve Good dip his pieces into lemon oil. I wouldn't do this with intarsia because it may affect the glue-up, unless you want to dip the whole thing after it's glued together. I think you could also rub it on.

 

Someone will chime in soon and give you their experience with it. I will also follow this thread so I can how well it works.

 

Dan

[qlty]

I have used it on pine,maple,cherry,and mahogany.it does bring out the grain and has some darkning effect you need to try it on a scrap piece to judge for your self.I put the oil in an empty jelly jar and cut the stem off a brush so the lid can be closed.I give a liberal coat with the brush slopping it on and hang to dry.I found with wood like cherry I had to let it dry for a week or so otherwise it will bleed thru any clear finish.Acrylic has less of an odor so in cold weather the piece can be brought indoors after spraying.

[Travis]

As with any oil, I think it will give a slight yellow look, but it really does a nice job in popping the grain. I didn't think the yellowing was as prominant as other oil finishes, though.

 

I would definitely glue up your work before adding the oil, though. Oil will make the glueup difficult at best. After you're glue has dried, just take a foam brush and just soak the heck out of it. After about a few minutes, go back with a clean rag and rub it down, removing the oil. Then let it dry for a few days, then spray.

 

I use it for smaller pieces, mostly. I have a small tupperware (the kind that holds sandwiches) that holds my oil. I just dunk the piece in, turn it a few times, then wipe off the excess with a paper towel. Then I put it on some cardboard. The cardboard acts like a sponge and draws the excess oil away from the piece which seems to make it dry faster. I let it set for a day or two, then spray it with acrylic spray.

 

I think the big draw with lemon oil (other than Steve making it popular ), is that it has a nice smell. When your significant other comes home, they'll think you dusted the house (which is always a bonus, especially when you're hinting for a new tool ). You also don't have to worry about safety issues like noxious fumes, flammable materials, and oily rags bursting into flames. Its not a very durable finish, so that's why you cover it with a poly or acrylic spray.