"Bill Waller" wrote in message

Polyurethane: I have done a lot with Poly (brushed) and have had mixed
results
. It is my least favorite finish to work with.

There are ways of making it a very good finish. Rubbing it out with steel
wook pumice, rottenstone, and then wax, it is very nice. I recently did a
chest that way and the results were the best ever.



BLO: I have used boiled linseed oil on a couple of projects, but never on
something that would end up I the living room. Actually, I have never used
it
on finely sanded wood. I know that the medium is rubbed on and that a
number of
coats are require for a decent build up.
But when all is said and done, what kind of finfish does BLO provide?
What is the proper prep for BLO?
Does it buff out to a nice sheen?
How long does it take for the smell to go away?
How durable is it?

I've not done much in the way of rubbing it out. The sheen that I've had is
a bit on the duller side, but it does bring out the richness of the wood.
Varnish oil seems to give a better build after three or four coats. My
experince with BLO is limited so others may be of more help.

The smell is gone in a few day to a week.

It is durable in that it will last a long time, but not offer a lot of
protection from water or abrasion.


Of course, I could always paint it pink.

That would be my choice.