Jonathan wrote:
On Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 11:30:12 AM UTC+1, Timothy Murphy wrote:
I have a large bare-wood Windsor chair,
made (rather well) in a local carpenter's workshop.
I'd like to varnish it or treat it with a similar wood finish.
Any recommendations?
I don't want to go to a huge amount of trouble,
and I don't really like polyurethane.
I'm thinking of something like Danish oil?

--
Timothy Murphy
gayleard /at/ eircom.net
School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin

Multiple layers of 1/3 varnish (not water based), Danish oil, white spirits, gives a very tough and durable finish. The varnish does not need to be gloss. You put a layer on, wait a few minutes and then remove any surplus with a rag. It soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top like varnish.

Jonathan

+1. Water thin white spirit diluted oil based poly gives a good
protected surface without the risk of a "high Build" look of undiluted
varnish.
Added advantage is that any runs occur immediately and can be brushed
out at the time of application rather than appearing later in the drying
process.

Gently denib between coats with 400grit paper and wipe over with tack
rags before re-coating.
I'm using this process at the moment on DIY built furniture and getting
two coats on per day in this heat. Otherwise 1 coat per day in a
scrupulously clean dust free atmosphere.