Toby Hosking

Help, I am about to spend a lot of money on a set of white oak bi-folding doors. I don't like any other finishes except oil finishes. The company I am going to use will provide the doors with a tung oil finish (which I like) but will only offer me 1 years guarantee, this really worries me. What is the best oil protection for external oak on the market, how often does it need to be applied, should I be worried that the oak will warp/split/disjoint in years to come????

Toby

Wood4Fun

Oil finishes offer almost no moisture protection whatsoever... which is why, to no surprise, the manufacturer won't warrant it beyond a year... actually it is a bigger surprise to me that they will warrant it at all.

you would have to apply oil monthly I'd say, and you will still have issues with rot and whatnot - sort of depends on where you live that will determine what problems you will have and how quickly it could happen.

Is it the sheen that you don't like? Perhaps getting a matte finish varnish as a top coat? I understand your desire for oil only, I prefer finishes that dont look all thick and shiny, but you should consider your investment and how long you want it to last.

Toby Hosking

Thank you for your advice, I don't like stains on oak, they almost defeat the object of getting oak in the first place. I live in south east England, so very changeable weather.

logger dave

I bought some great finish for an outdoor bench and bird table from www.britishhardwoodsonline.co.uk It was an Osmo WoodStain & Protecter and looks great as well as staying in tip top condition for some time now.

Wood4Fun

yeah, I don't like stain either. Just going with a varnish would be my route... since you live is a fairly wet climate, I'd probably go with a marine varnish.

This will provide you a much better moisture barrier to extend the life of the door. Plus, the oils and such that are in the varnish will highlight the grain nicely for you... of course you could always go with boiled linseed oil or tung oil as the fist step and then top coat with the varnish. this will bring out and highlight the grain even more.... it will be darker than the natural wood no matter what step you take, but it won't be like a stain where stuff is hidden.

Julian the woodnut

I will suggest a quality spar varnish and not a polyurethane varnish.