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Hi, all.

Now, I'll admit that I'm not an avid stock oiler and I'm not that knowledgeable about wood care other than 'keep it clean.'

If I do oil my stocks I use linseed oil, I believe mine is raw, not boiled. Today I notice that after an application of linseed last week my stocks are a bit sticky, you don't have to peel your hand off of the stock, they're more a bit tacky I would say.

I've not noticed this tackiness before, have I done something wrong?

Do we think the tackiness will bugger off on its own accord, or should I help it along somehow?

I prefer the ordinary linseed to the boiled.

However I cut mine 50/50 with turpentine (or white spirit, not the substitute).

I would rub down lighly with turpentine and a linen cloth 'till the tackiness disappears, then in future apply thinned as described.

Hardeners are available but you are probably better to rub off the linseed oil and rework with boiled linseed oil. The boiled oil will mix with the raw and trigger it into curing.

Linseed oil does not really dry, it reacts with the oxygen in the air to harden, polymerise. Boiled linseed has 'stand oil' added which catalysis the reaction curing it faster. I like the Liberon brand.

I was taught to oil the wood:
hourly for a day,
daily for a week,
weekly for a month
monthly for a year
yearly for life

Don't leave a running wet surface it should just 'shine'. The main quality of the finish is in the preperation, sanding, raising the grain, filling and flatting until it is perfect, then oiling for durability.

Many thanks, chaps.

dromia wrote:I prefer the ordinary linseed to the boiled.

However I cut mine 50/50 with turpentine (or white spirit, not the substitute).

I would rub down lighly with turpentine and a linen cloth 'till the tackiness disappears, then in future apply thinned as described.

ditto Adam, works very well, 50% white spirit, penetrates into the wood, then the catalyst evaporates and leaves you with a great finish....just rub a finish in with a soft cloth for a superb semi matt finish..

Also make sure you dispose of any rags that you have used with the linseed oils, they can spontaneously combust as the oil oxidises.

dromia wrote:I prefer the ordinary linseed to the boiled.

However I cut mine 50/50 with turpentine (or white spirit, not the substitute).

I would rub down lighly with turpentine and a linen cloth 'till the tackiness disappears, then in future apply thinned as described.

Thanks, Adam. Turpentine, now is that the stuff in bottles people are known to rub onto troublesome knees that can be a'gotten from one's local supermarket?

ovenpaa wrote:Also make sure you dispose of any rags that you have used with the linseed oils, they can spontaneously combust as the oil oxidises.

Thank you. Yes, that little tidbit made me double take when I read the back of the linseed tub.

Don't know about supermarkets, never visit the places.

I get mine in half gallon cans from a painting and decorating emporium that supplies the trade.

Tower75 wrote:

ovenpaa wrote:Also make sure you dispose of any rags that you have used with the linseed oils, they can spontaneously combust as the oil oxidises.

Thank you. Yes, that little tidbit made me double take when I read the back of the linseed tub.

I know first hand because I rubbed some into a stock using very fine wire wool many years ago and left everything on the side, I went back a few hours to a room smelling of smoke and some wire wool glowing red, I was very fortunate to have found it...

ovenpaa wrote:Also make sure you dispose of any rags that you have used with the linseed oils, they can spontaneously combust as the oil oxidises.

Ooo... I'm going to have to try some now, if only to see my old t-shirts catch fire.

How long do you have to wait?

Would the addition of a sprinkling of black powder help?

Mark