Oils are employed as a wood finish for many different reasons. Oils repel moisture, deepen a wood’s natural color without altering it, and can be among those few kinds of finishes that leave a wooden item in a food-safe state. The problem with an oil finish is that it usually requires upkeep in the kind of a reapplication of more oil, so it isn’t a lasting finish. In some instances, it’s likely to lengthen the lifetime of an oil finish by”completing” it with a sealant.

Inspect the wood if you’re completing an old oil-finished piece. If the wood and old oil finish aren’t in excellent condition, you must refinish the wood. If you don’t need to refinish the wood, then jump to Step 4.

Sand the wood surface with medium-grit (100- or 120-grit) sandpaper to prepare it for a new oiling. The precise sanding tool option is contingent upon the wood surface in question. For large, flat surfaces, use a hand vibrating sander. For small tasks, use a handheld rotary tool fitted with a sanding disc. To get difficult-to-reach spots, employ a handheld oscillating tool. For curved surfaces, then use standard sandpaper.

Apply a coat of oil finish, such as linseed oil or tung oilto the wood with a paint brush. Allow the oil to soak in and dry immediately, and examine the coat. If the depth of the oil finish does not suit you, apply a second (or perhaps even a third) coat. Enable the wood item and its own oil to cure for a couple of days.

Seal the wood by applying a coat of polyurethane to the top, using smooth, long brush strokes. Allow this to dry for several hours before applying at least an additional coat.

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