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

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

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?


I prefer button polish, but that's a personal preference. Very
easy to remove and refinish if necessary.

On 23/08/16 11:30, 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?

What finish do you want?

I personally like very natural wood and use sprayable cellulose lacquers.

But that is a personal preference.

--
The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all
private property.

Karl Marx

In message , Timothy Murphy
writes
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?

I had some old Ercol dining chairs dip stripped, and finished them with
Danish Oil. Delighted with the results. Probably 20 years ago now, so
cannot remember the exact process, but plenty of fine wire wool and
several coats of oil. I think I applied the final coat of oil using
fine wire wool. The results were stunning - far better than I expected.
The chairs are still in regular use.
--
Graeme

On 23/08/2016 11:30, 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?

Whatever you do, try and invest the time to get it rubbed
down as smooth as you can. Nothing worse than badly
prepared wood that is then varnished.

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.