Sam777 Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 (edited) Hello all, How fast does BLO dry? and can it be the final finish. I know this has been discussed in a lot of detail but I would rather not get into mixing of BLO and other spirits. I would appreciate any advice on this Thank you all Sam Edited September 19, 2017 by Sam777 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 My experience is BLO dries very slowly. Like over many days. That is an additional benefit of mixing with MS. It speeds up the drying. Even mixed it takes a couple days to dry. Sam777 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 Drying time for BLO is typically measured in days. Some folks will say to let it dry for up to 10 days before use, 4-5 is more typical, depending on conditions. It isn't intended to be used as a final finish, because it really doesn't offer much when compared to other finishing products. It does darken the wood somewhat, which will help accentuate the grain, especially on darker colored woods like walnut or cherry. However, once dry it's very dull looking and provides little to no practical protection from scratches, abrasions, household chemicals, heat or moisture. It's easy to apply and to keep the wood looking fresh, it needs to be periodically re-applied. However building up too much BLO on the wood will lead to curing problems and perhaps even a gummy residue that attracts dust & dirt like a magnet. I like BLO and use it as a colorant, but almost always topcoat with something else. SCROLLSAW703, amazingkevin and Sam777 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 20 minutes ago, Scrappile said: My experience is BLO dries very slowly. Like over many days. That is an additional benefit of mixing with MS. It speeds up the drying. Even mixed it takes a couple days to dry. Thank you for the quick reply. I think I will use something else Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 13 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said: Drying time for BLO is typically measured in days. Some folks will say to let it dry for up to 10 days before use, 4-5 is more typical, depending on conditions. It isn't intended to be used as a final finish, because it really doesn't offer much when compared to other finishing products. It does darken the wood somewhat, which will help accentuate the grain, especially on darker colored woods like walnut or cherry. However, once dry it's very dull looking and provides little to no practical protection from scratches, abrasions, household chemicals, heat or moisture. It's easy to apply and to keep the wood looking fresh, it needs to be periodically re-applied. However building up too much BLO on the wood will lead to curing problems and perhaps even a gummy residue that attracts dust & dirt like a magnet. I like BLO and use it as a colorant, but almost always topcoat with something else. Thank you for the detailed reply. Now for sure I will not use it as a finish. I appreciate the prompt response. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Moreton Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 When using BLO, use light coats and wipe off aftwe about 10 minutes. It absorbs into the wood, if you leave that top layer there, it will get gummy. This is why I don't use it for fretwork. Use Danish oil, mineral oil, lemon oil, or a spray finish with light coats. SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 1 hour ago, Roberta Moreton said: When using BLO, use light coats and wipe off aftwe about 10 minutes. It absorbs into the wood, if you leave that top layer there, it will get gummy. This is why I don't use it for fretwork. Use Danish oil, mineral oil, lemon oil, or a spray finish with light coats. Thank you for the reply Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted September 19, 2017 Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 As others have said... a week or two. It also depends on how good the wood is at absorbing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 29 minutes ago, Dan said: As others have said... a week or two. It also depends on how good the wood is at absorbing it. Thank you Dan Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 As noted by everyone it's slow to dry, which is exactly why many people mix it with mineral spirits, usually 50/50. It speeds the drying. I wipe or brush it on and wipe off the excess almost immediately, and I keep wiping any spots that seem to be weeping oil out of the grain. I usually wait about 6-7 days, but have waited longer. It certainly doesn't require any top coat, especially if you like the oiled (Danish modern) look. But BLO doesn't offer much in the way of protection by itself. I don't use BLO on scroll projects, but often on furniture and cabinetry. Experiment with it on off-cuts before to get the feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 I wish I could help you also Sam but I think others got the message across. Good luck and try different finishes until you find the one you like best. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 5 hours ago, oldhudson said: As noted by everyone it's slow to dry, which is exactly why many people mix it with mineral spirits, usually 50/50. It speeds the drying. I wipe or brush it on and wipe off the excess almost immediately, and I keep wiping any spots that seem to be weeping oil out of the grain. I usually wait about 6-7 days, but have waited longer. It certainly doesn't require any top coat, especially if you like the oiled (Danish modern) look. But BLO doesn't offer much in the way of protection by itself. I don't use BLO on scroll projects, but often on furniture and cabinetry. Experiment with it on off-cuts before to get the feel. Thank you for the advice Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 1 hour ago, heppnerguy said: I wish I could help you also Sam but I think others got the message across. Good luck and try different finishes until you find the one you like best. Dick heppnerguy Thank you Dick. Don't think I didn't notice that you were gone for a while. Welcome back Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 21 hours ago, Sam777 said: Thank you Dick. Don't think I didn't notice that you were gone for a while. Welcome back Sam Thank you Sam, I made a rather large move in June. We moved from our home in Heppner, Oregon to Casa Grande, Arizona. That move was made after having lived in Heppner for 13 years. Because of the distance of our move, we decided to sell almost our entire house of furniture, except for 2 bedroom sets. It all happened really quickly so I was away from my scrolling and with out an operating computer for about a month before our moving date. I had to sell a lot of my wood and down size my shop of several of my larger tools because it was so far and we did not wish to make the trip twice. After we got to Arizona we were on the search for replacement furniture for our entire new home. This took about an additional month to accomplish. They we spent the month of August back in Heppner visiting our family there, along with going to Portland and attending a baby shower for one of our granddaughters that was having her first child and she had flown into Portland from North Carolina for the shower. Following the shower we went to Salem where we watched the wonderful and exciting full solar eclipse from there it was back to Heppner for one more week before the long drive back to Arizona. We were back about a week and then we were off to Mexico where we stayed for 5 days at a wonderful resort. So now you can understand a little about why I have not spent much time here in The Village this summer. I can't believe you missed me here, I am such a small part of this huge world wide family. Thank you for thinking about me. Nice to hear someone cares enough to miss an old grumpy guy. You made me feel good inside Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Well, welcome back Heppnerguy. Should we start calling you CasaGrandeguy now? heppnerguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 There is no moss growing under Heppnerguy's feet. He is a man on the move. He is certainly not an old grumpy guy! Doesn't have a grumpy bone in his body. I think we should rename him "Traveling-guy". There is a song that fits this isn't there. Be assured, Dick, you are missed when you are not here. heppnerguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted September 25, 2017 Report Share Posted September 25, 2017 aww........I have thought of changing my name buy no one would know who I was if I did....besides I have a lot of cards printed with that name on it. It will take me awhile to get Heppner out of my blood.. and thanks Paul for the nice comments.. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 On 9/24/2017 at 9:12 PM, heppnerguy said: aww........I have thought of changing my name buy no one would know who I was if I did....besides I have a lot of cards printed with that name on it. It will take me awhile to get Heppner out of my blood.. and thanks Paul for the nice comments.. Dick heppnerguy Welcome back .You definitely had your hands full these past months ! heppnerguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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