General Overview
Linseed oil, usually popular as flaxseed oil, is regarded as one of the commonly used wood finishes across the world. Linseed oil soaks deep into the wood grain in order to safeguard against scratches as well as adjustments in humidity. It is extremely easy to take care of, eco-friendly, and causes a satin finish that really exposes the color as well as the grain of the wood beneath. Linseed oil used to get replaced by lacquer, polyurethane, and varnish for the past many decades, but now it is coming back in force, due to the reason that it has non-toxicity and environmentally friendly properties. Oil finishes such as linseed oil ooze into the grain of the wood instead of forming a film on top of it.
Common Uses Of Linseed Oil
Linseed oil is considered as one of the most popular wood finish, however, it really has many other applications. Some of the most common uses of linseed oil are mentioned below:
- Linseed oil finish can be used to protect wood products, mainly those that get in direct contact with food, for instance, cutting boards, wood bowls, etc.
- It is also used as a nutritional supplement having several health benefits.
- Linseed oil has a benefit of preservative in oil paint that upgrades color as well as implementability.
- If in case you want to clean paint brushes, then you can also use Linseed oil for that purpose.
- Linseed oil can also be used as a varnish and anti-rust medium for metals.
- It can also be used as a conditioner as well as a cleaner as far as the leather products are concerned.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Using Linseed Oil
Before purchasing & then using linseed oil, you first need to go through all the advantages & disadvantages of linseed oil, which are mentioned below:
Advantages/Pros
- Brings out the concentration of color as well as texture in wood grain.
- If in case you find any scratches as well as dents, then it can be easily repaired using Linseed oil.
- Non-toxic as well as eco-friendly.
- Pierces deep into the grain and safeguards well against adjustments in humidity.
- Linseed oil can also be used by the side of other finishes such as wax so that it can further safeguard the wood furniture.
Disadvantages/Cons
- Linseed oil is required to have occasional re-oiling.
- This type of oil is vulnerable to water rings.
- The wood is more vulnerable to scratches as compared to lacquer or varnish, however hard coat finishes are vulnerable to surface scratches, which in turn, is extremely difficult to repair.
- Linseed oil turns moderately yellowish over the passage of time.
- Adjustments in temperature or humidity may be the reason for wood to bleed oil.
- Vulnerable to staining if colored liquids ooze into wood.