Danish Oil or Epoxy resin

[Transit80]

Been thinking about sealing the body of my trailer and cant make me mind up wether to use epoxy resin (dearer and dont much like the idea of mixing and using in me garage) or Danish oil, cheaper, easier to use etc.
Help make me mind up .

Chris

[48Rob]

Morning Chris,

Danish oil is a very weak type of sealer/varnish.

It is well suited to putting a beautiful natural finish (not plastic or shiny) on a nice piece of wood, and when mixed with color, makes a fantastic stain.
However, it will not "waterproof" wood to the extent needed for exterior exposure.

Rob

[GPW]

The Foamlings’ have been using The “mixture" to waterproof their wood parts ... 75% Mineral Spirits , 25% Polyurethane varnish , applied LIBERALLY ... Fairly innocuous mixture, safe for use in garage. Everything in the Foamie section is well tested, and this has been proven to be Very Effective over time . ... and it’s Thrifty too !!!

[mallymal]

Re the Danish oil, I use it for finishing items I make in woodturning. But even after working it well into the grain, then buffing off with a cloth, the wood can still feel a little oily. So I don't think it's suitable, and even if it was, wouldn't want to work such a large area with it.

In contrast I dabbled with interior design years ago, did a course, etc etc, and part of it was paints, prep etc.

The tutor was a massive fan of diluting any oil based finish (varnish, oil based paint, etc) with thinners or white spirit...
A) it's very cheap
B) it soaks right into the grain.... The long term answer to protection, and
C) your subsequent coats will definitely adhere to it, as they're made out of the same stuff!

In fact she recommended 1st coat diluted 75/25 thinner/paint
Then 2nd coat,50/50
Then 25/75
Then topcoat full strength.

Lots of ways of varying that, but it makes sense when you think about it.....

Just my 5c worth... Haven't even made sawdust yet myself

[Chuckles]

Danish oil is strictly a finish for interior use only. It's not even recommended for table tops or other interior surfaces that will receive heavy use. Stick with epoxy, exterior varnish, or exierior polyurethane. For durability epoxy with a varnish topcoat(s) for UV protection is best.

[Transit80]

Thanks for this Mal,

The tutor was a massive fan of diluting any oil based finish (varnish, oil based paint, etc) with thinners or white spirit...
A) it's very cheap
B) it soaks right into the grain.... The long term answer to protection, and
C) your subsequent coats will definitely adhere to it, as they're made out of the same stuff!

In fact she recommended 1st coat diluted 75/25 thinner/paint
Then 2nd coat,50/50
Then 25/75
Then topcoat full strength.

Lots of ways of varying that, but it makes sense when you think about it.....



Something like this??

http://cdn.toolstation.com/images/13012 ... =364726510

Chris

[mallymal]

I would imagine.... Can't see all the wording on the pic, but as long as says "wash brushes in white spirit etc" then you know it's oil based and will dilute like I said.

Read something on a post possibly on another forum and someone was saying don't waste your money on so called yacht varnish.... Most of it in the uk isn't specially formulated for a marine environment, it's marketing hype!

Good luck with your build.... Your way ahead of me!

[nevadatear]

Danish oil-inside, epoxy-outside.

[jonw]

Danish oil-inside, epoxy-outside.

Exactly. Danish oil is for interior use...