Soak in linseed oil. Linseed oil for woodworking: where to buy and impregnation technique

Wooden structures made from natural material. This is a favorable environment for the life of organisms, especially when placed outdoors. Therefore, wood products require careful treatment against destruction caused by fungi (mold), bacteria (rot), insects (mechanical destruction). Yes, and in the room impregnation is not superfluous. For example, in the kitchen, the humidity is quite high, which destroys the wood. Oil is an effective method to combat external influences on wood.

Owners of private wooden houses know that the main property of oil impregnation is to increase the service life of the walls, giving them strength. Besides, any oil is a natural antiseptic to a greater or lesser extent. It kills bacteria on the surface, making it cleaner and more elastic.

There is a large selection of wood impregnation oils on the market.. They can be divided into two large groups - mineral and natural. Let's consider them in more detail.

mineral

They have gained great popularity not so long ago in connection with the active scientific and technological development. Then it became possible to create mineral oil with the required characteristics. About 50 years ago transformer oil began to be used for the purpose of wood processing. Of course, this is not its direct purpose. The result proved the opposite, which brought the sales of transformer oil to a new level. With the help of it, it is possible to prevent the putrefactive processes of the tree, while maintaining the primary appearance. Undoubtedly, the production of this product violates environmental standards. Therefore, more and more enterprises prefer natural oils or at least combine them with mineral oils.

natural

Natural oils appeared much earlier than mineral ones. It took time to realize their merits in wood processing. The spread of natural oils was held back by the high cost of raw materials. However, modern production methods solve this issue.

Their key advantage is vegetable origin. Natural components, the absence of harmful compounds make natural oil safe for humans. The most common types of natural oils for impregnation of wood products:

Wood oil. One of the very first products to protect wood from rot, water and termites. Suitable for impregnation of floor and ceiling finishes, wooden furniture, architraves and dishes.
Teak oil. A universal product suitable for impregnating both internal surfaces made of wood (floor, ceiling, decor, stairs, railings) and external surfaces (facades, gazebos, furniture and garden figurines). The best choice for oak, beech and other valuable wood species. Ingredients: tung and linseed oils, refined turpentine.
Tar oil. It has pronounced antiseptic properties. Ingredients: stump resin, turpentine, linseed oil. Turpentine helps to better impregnate the material. Linseed oil stops the composition inside. Widespread in the judiciary. They process the bottom of boats and moorings. Suitable for exterior treatment.
Deservedly considered the most inexpensive and effective means of protecting wooden surfaces. Linseed oil It has a high hydrophobic ability, so it fights dampness very well. Particles penetrate into every pore of the material, emphasizing the structure and "preserving" it. Suitable for processing indoor and outdoor structures.
Tonic oil (toning). This type of oil is produced on the basis of condensed vegetable lipids, which restore the natural grace of the tree and protect it from destruction. It will be possible to avoid such problems as fading, cracks, drying out. More suitable for outdoor use, as the composition deeply penetrates the wood, literally repelling dirt.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of oils

We found out that oils are used for one purpose - to increase the period of use. They have, although not much, but different properties. For example, one species has better water resistance, another copes well with dust, etc. We list the pros and cons of each oil.

Oil type	Advantages	disadvantages
Mineral	easy application; tasteless, odorless and colorless; dries quickly (depending on the specific composition, it may be vice versa);	not a vegetable base; harm to the environment during production.
Tung	rapid distribution in the pores of wood; can be diluted in White Spirit for better absorption.	if you work with the composition in a room with a low temperature (below 15 degrees), then it will begin to thicken, and as a result, its consumption will increase.
Teak	versatility of use - suitable for any surface, gentle processing of valuable wood species; environmentally friendly product.	nothing can be diluted.
Tar	perfectly disinfects the surface; the composition is well kept due to linseed oil in the composition; withstands low temperatures when stored in tightly closed containers.	dries for a long time if applied in several layers (about a week), if once - a day.
Linen	affordable price; good waterproofing properties; can be mixed with various solvents to increase drying speed.	hardening speed up to 3 weeks, but can be accelerated by adding tar, wax or turpentine; may thicken on the surface due to oxidation and glycerides contained in the composition.
Toning	helps to give the wood a rich color; safely; no unpleasant odor; fast drying.	not found.

Impregnation procedure and conditions

The most common method is rubbing into the surface. It is suitable for linseed, mineral oil. You need to rub the oil into the wood with sandpaper (P400) and a cloth napkin. The procedure should be carried out 3-4 times. After each use, the oil should be absorbed, i.e. surface is dry. This will take 3-8 days. A rag is needed for the initial application, as well as in the final stage - grinding. In exchange for long processing, you will get excellent results.

The second way is smearing. It is used only when the tree will be further covered with paint. The oil is applied with a regular brush. It is important that it be drying oil, for example, linen. Then the surface is leveled with a beige pad or cotton cloth.

The last 2 methods are boiling and soaking. For technical reasons, they are suitable only for small items: pens, toys. For soaking in a pan, you need to place the product and leave it for a couple of days in a closed state. After that, polish with a cloth napkin to a shine.

You can boil, then the time is reduced to 1 day. Digestion is carried out over low heat at a certain temperature, depending on the oil (see table below).

The nuances of impregnation

Before starting work, you need to prepare the tree. The first thing to do is check the moisture content of the wood. Better to keep it as dry as possible. Ideally, no more than 15-20% of water.

After preparation, a color test is carried out. An oil solution is applied to a small area of the surface, after which the resulting color is evaluated, which depends on:

tree species;
the degree of its polishing;
layer density.

Some companies, specializing in the production of tinting oils, offer samplers, giving the opportunity to know in advance what shade the product will acquire.

Pine, birch, fir - wood that requires the application of a special alkaline solution before oil treatment. This is done so that in the future the structure of the tree does not darken.

The application itself (if you have chosen the smearing method) goes in the direction of the fibers. It is better to collect excess oil in different places. Next, the wood is polished and left for some time, depending on the chosen method of impregnation. By the way, much less oil composition will go to pre-sanded wood.

Impregnation of wood with oil is needed for street structures made of wood. When decorating the walls of the house, you can’t do without it either. It increases the declared operational life of wood. Don't make silly mistakes, such as opting for mineral oil to impregnate furniture because it's not environmentally friendly. The correct selection of oil depends on the placement of the product (outdoors, indoors) and the material (wood species).

Wood is an environmentally friendly and safe material that requires proper attention and care throughout its entire service life.

Impregnation of wood with natural oil is the easiest and most effective way to protect it from decay, decay, mold and pathogens.

Wood has high hydrophilic properties, which lead to drying out and damage to the surface.

In order to avoid such troubles in the future, experts recommend treating the tree with vegetable oils, which, under the influence of sunlight and oxygen, turn into a solid protective coating. They quickly penetrate into wood fibers and reliably protect them from the negative effects of various factors.

The main reasons why oil coating matters are:

On wooden surfaces, mechanical damage is not noticeable, which can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the coating;
Processing with such compositions makes the surface pleasant to the touch, allowing it to maintain its original structure;
Natural oils give wooden surfaces an attractive glossy sheen, eliminating tarnishing and fading;
Impregnation with linseed oil provides effective damage to fungal spores. Impregnation reliably closes the pores, which prevents water from entering them.

Benefits of oils

In hardware stores, a huge number of protective compounds for wood are presented - oils, stains, varnishes, and waxes.

The most popular and effective for impregnation of wooden surfaces are protective oil and wax. They have powerful waterproofing characteristics, while being completely safe and environmentally friendly.

Oils have the following benefits:

Contains only environmentally friendly components;
Provide reliable closing of small wood pores;
Possess high water-repellent, wear-resistant properties;
Give wooden surfaces an attractive appearance;
Increase the life of the tree;
Well applied and quickly restored;
Do not exfoliate, do not peel off, do not deform;
Do not change the natural color of the tree;
Well cleaned of dirt;
They have good value for money.

Despite the obvious advantages, oil impregnations have some disadvantages. Thus, oiled wood surfaces require more attention than lacquered surfaces. Every 4 months they need to be covered with a fresh layer of oil.

Oil treatment does not prevent the appearance of greasy stains that are difficult to remove with improvised means.

Types of oils for wood, their choice

For wooden surfaces of various types, natural and artificial oil formulations are used.

Vegetable oils are natural ingredients that have been chemically processed to produce an effective protective composition. They are divided into three categories:

Drying - poppy, walnut, wood, perilla, niger, linen, hemp, tar and others;
Semi-drying - sunflower, rapeseed, cotton and others;
Non-drying - castor, olive, palm, almond and others.

Artificial protective compounds are made with the addition of various chemical components that are designed to increase the wear-resistant characteristics of a wooden coating.

Linseed and hemp oils are most in demand for tree protection, which are distinguished by a high content of glyceride compounds of linoleic and linolenic acids.

To choose the right oil for wood, first you need to determine whether the impregnation corresponds to the type and density of the wood.

The best option for most types of wood are universal oil formulations that have an extended spectrum of action. Some impregnations have a slight coloring effect on the wood coating, thereby giving it a deep saturated shade.

Surface preparation for processing

Before proceeding with the impregnation of wood with an oil composition, the surface should be prepared - thoroughly cleaned of dust, sanded and polished.

If the wood is damaged by mold or pathogens, the surface requires cleaning, disinfection, treatment with a deep penetration antibacterial primer. The treated base or parts must be left to dry completely.

The base is sanded with fine or medium grit sandpaper, the resulting dust is cleaned with a soft brush or a clean rag. The old paint layer is previously removed with simple solvents and a scraper.

The finished surface must be smooth, without defects and damage. This is necessary in order to ensure better adhesion of the impregnation to the wood.

The process of applying impregnation to wood is carried out in several stages with technological breaks of 1.5-2 hours each.

To apply the impregnation, it is necessary to prepare the following materials and tools:

Oil composition;
Wax;
Small capacity;
wide brush;
Soft clean rags;
Fine grit sandpaper.

In any hardware store you can buy special compounds for wood, linseed oil is recommended. To accelerate the hardening, it is additionally recommended to use wax. Work on the impregnation of surfaces with compounds and wax is carried out as follows:

To obtain an oil product in different containers, it is necessary to heat the wax and linseed oil. Combine the finished components and mix thoroughly.
Apply the warm mass evenly with a brush on the treated surface along the wood fibers. Repeat the procedure 4-5 times. Depending on the type of wood, the procedure can be carried out in several approaches. The minimum interval between oil coats is 1.5 hours.
The coating is cleaned of excess oil with a clean rag until the impregnation hardens. With a little effort, the rag must be pressed against the surface in order to remove the resulting roughness of the wood fibers.
Leave the surface treated with compounds and wax until completely dry for 2-3 days.
After drying, the coating should be polished to a matte sheen.

Important! If linseed oil contains polyurethane components, then no need to add wax. Some wooden substrates can only be treated with wax.

Wood drying is carried out in a ventilated room or on the street. During drying, the treated surface must be protected from moisture, dust and direct sunlight.

Subsequent work with bases, treated compounds and wax should be postponed for 7-10 days.

Any wooden base can be treated with oil compounds and wax. In this case, the moisture content of wood should be no more than 14%. If the surface treatment process is carried out indoors, then the air humidity should not exceed 70%, for outdoor work it is better to choose a good sunny day.
Coatings with rapid wear are recommended to be treated up to 4 times a year, bases with a slight mechanical impact - no more than 1 time in 2 years.
Linseed oil and wax treatments are not performed on painted or lacquered substrates.
Unused linseed oil and wax can be stored in a cool place at a constant temperature of 0 degrees.
Valuable wood species are recommended to be treated with linen-based wax.
For impregnation of external wooden bases and elements, pure linseed oil without auxiliary additives is suitable, which has pronounced moisture and dirt-repellent characteristics. Wax can also be used for internal surfaces.
High-quality impregnation with linseed oil can be performed in two ways - rubbing and soaking. Rubbing the composition is done with a sponge or brush along the fibers. This method is suitable for large bases. For small items and elements, soaking can be used. In this case, the product is immersed in a container with a protective agent for a couple of hours or days. After the impregnation is completed, the wood is left to dry completely.
For reliable protection of wood, it is better to use oil and wax, not varnish. The lacquer coating is susceptible to mechanical damage, cracks and chips, which can cause swelling and decay of wood. Unlike varnish, linen protectant and wax penetrate deep into the fibers, preventing cracks and protecting the wood from environmental negative factors. In addition, the composition gives the base a rich shade and an attractive natural shine.

Timely impregnation with oil compositions will provide high-quality and reliable protection to wooden bases throughout the entire service life.

Wood is an environmentally friendly natural material, so houses and baths are built from it, furniture, windows, doors and household appliances in the form of door handles, cutting boards and various household items are made from it. But since wood has the ability to absorb moisture, it cracks and cracks over time. As a result, the wooden product deteriorates.

To avoid such troubles, there are various varnishes and impregnations specifically for protecting wood. Many of them are toxic and can harm a person. An excellent waterproofing harmless substance is linseed oil, which has been widely used for processing wooden products since ancient times.

Benefits and properties of linseed oil

Flax oil can be used to treat any wooden surface, both outside and inside. It is used for impregnation of wooden ceilings, facades, platbands, doors, decorative items, knife handles, elements of weapons and furniture and wooden utensils.

Oil treatment of wood has the following advantages:

The main advantage of flax oil is that it pure natural product, which is not capable of causing harm to human health.

During the processing of wood, the oil components thicken under the influence of heat, light and oxygen. The result is a semi-solid mass with excellent protective properties. The more linolenic and linoleic acids in the oil, the higher its ability to solidify.

After processing, the wooden product must dry for 2-3 weeks. To speed up this process, you can use:

tar;
wax;
turpentine.

It should be remembered that turpentine is a toxic substance and, upon contact with the skin, can cause thermal burns. In addition, some people may experience an allergic reaction to it. Tar obtained by dry distillation of wood is the same turpentine, however, it is less toxic. Wax is completely safe for humans, so it is better to use it. Before use wax should be heated in a water bath and mix with oil. Such a composition dries faster and will have excellent water-repellent properties.

Do-it-yourself impregnation of wood with linseed oil

You can buy flax oil at any construction market or in an online store. The average cost of a product per liter is about 720 rubles. For a single-layer coating per square meter of the product, you will need from 100 to 150 grams of oil.

The main condition for processing is that the wooden surface should not be damp or wet. in wood must contain no more than 14% moisture. Old and painted surfaces and products should be cleaned of paint and varnish, remaining debris and dust. You can’t wipe them with a wet rag, because the tree will immediately absorb moisture. The processed objects are cleaned with sandpaper and freed from wood dust.

The air humidity in the room where the wood will be processed should be at least 70%. Outdoor work should be done on a sunny day.

There are two methods of impregnation - rubbing and soaking.

Rubbing method

This is the most common surface treatment method for wood, which is produced with a cloth napkin and fine sandpaper. This procedure is carried out three to four times. In this case, between each treatment, the product should dry well. For which it may take at least a day.

This process is quite long, but the result is excellent. The liquid is applied to the surface with a rag. At the final stage, the wooden product is polished with the same rag. Large areas can be processed in this way.

If the surface will be painted in the future, then it can be impregnated with a paint brush or brush. In this case, drying oil is used, which includes linseed oil.

For the first time, the surface of the product is liberally lubricated with a brush. Trying to rub the liquid inside is not necessary. After all surfaces are covered with oil, fine sandpaper or a rag made of cotton, linen or wool proceed to the rubbing process. Depending on the porosity of the structure, rubbing the oil into a small area can take from a few seconds to several minutes. Since the material is sanded at the same time, the longer the rubbing process, the better the quality of the work.

When rubbing, it should be borne in mind that the oil should not be removed from the surface, but rubbed into the product. You need to work until the surface is dry. When rubbing the impregnation for the first and second time, you can use sandpaper. At the final stage, you should use only a napkin made of natural material. In this case, the surface will look much more beautiful.

Soaking method

In this way, small wooden products are processed, which dive for two or three days into a container filled with oil. Then they are polished to a mirror shine with a soft cloth.

To make the drying process faster, you can use natural linseed drying oil.

Processing houses from logs and timber

The popularity of linseed oil treatment of log cabins and timber is due to its ability to penetrate deep into the surface of the tree. Flax oil can be impregnated with trees of any species with different processing methods.

After treatment with linseed oil, a protective film does not form on the surface of the material, but the timber or wood will become more durable and water resistant. Log cabins are impregnated with special compounds with various additives that enhance the protective properties of the main ingredient. Most often, natural wax is used as an additive. To reduce the cost of the composition, which will process large surfaces, polyurethane is used.

Stages of work:

hot oil and strong rubbing movements provide the maximum depth of wood impregnation.

Despite the fact that hardware stores offer a large number of mineral and synthetic materials for treating wood surfaces, oil impregnations remain relevant to this day. This environmentally friendly material is widely used for the processing of various wooden products that can be found in every home.

Linseed oil for wood helps to improve the appearance of wood, protect the finished wood product from drying out and cracking, make the wood base water-repellent and extend the life of the finished product.

Flax oil properties

Wood treatment with linseed oil is used as a decorative coating on the surface of the facades of wooden houses, doors, furniture, for butts of weapons, etc.

Impregnation of wood with linseed oil increases the chances of wood to last longer, enhance its protective properties from dirt and water. Coating wood with linseed oil makes it possible to give the surface any shades, highlight the relief and texture of wood. In addition, the oil coating protects the tree from mold and fungal infections.

Linseed oil for wood processing is used both in production and at home. Hunters especially widely use butt impregnation with linseed oil, which is prepared using the following technology:

Only wooden parts are impregnated, therefore, before starting the procedure, all metal parts are separated from the wood.
If the stock is treated with linseed oil for the first time, the oil is heated so that it turns into drying oil. To do this, pour 50 ml of oil into a tin or pan with a lid and heat it well, taking care of safety measures. Before starting each subsequent impregnation, the oil is heated until white smoke appears.
If the weapon is old, its stock should be sanded with sandpaper. If you are young, this is not necessary.
With acetone, the entire top layer of stain is removed from the walnut layer of the butt.
Then the entire surface of the wooden base is impregnated with linseed oil several times. The oil should go approximately 150 ml.

Hunters carry out this procedure before the start of the opening of the hunting season 3-4 weeks in advance so that the butt absorbs the oil well. When the butt is already completely dry, they pass over it with the following mixture: resin of the fruit tree, beeswax, turpentine in equal proportions is heated in a water bath. Lubricate the butt with this mixture 2 times, and then, after drying, polish the surface.

The product after such treatment, despite the dense coating layer, still breathes, while enhancing its water-repellent properties. Multi-layer coating will make it possible to maintain a stable shade for a long period of time.

The advantage of this method is also its safety for human skin. Linseed oil is not capable of causing allergic reactions on the skin, unlike some types of paints and varnishes.

Types of impregnations

Impregnation of the knife handle with linseed oil is carried out in the same way as for a gun butt. There are standard requirements for wood processing and flax oil coating:

The most common is a two-layer linseed oil impregnation, which requires natural drying in the open air.
When using flax oil with additives, impregnation should be carried out according to the instructions.
Before impregnation, the surface to be treated must be cleaned of the previous coating, the oiled surface must be sanded.
Before use, the oil is boiled to speed up the drying process of the impregnation.
The oil is applied along the grain of the wood in a rubbing motion to ensure the best penetration of the oil into the crevices.
Excess oil is removed with a rag 1-2 hours after application.
Wax is used for polishing.

Linseed oil for wood is polymerized in order to obtain more elastic and water-resistant films. The polymerization of linseed oil occurs as a result of heating it without oxygen at a temperature of 300 degrees. To prevent oxidation, the oil is heated in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, passing it constantly through the oil. Carbon dioxide displaces air, fills the space above the oil, isolating it from air. When the temperature rises, the moisture evaporates. To quickly remove moisture, the oil is kept at 150 degrees for some time.

Technical oil

In addition to food varieties of linseed oil, linseed technical oil is widely used. A rare natural composition easily polymerizes in air and creates a thin and durable film that protects against corrosion, moisture and pests. That is why linseed oil is used so widely - from the bluing of metals to the creation of high-quality consumables for artists.

Huge volumes of technical linseed oil are used in construction: high-quality drying oil is obtained from it. It surpasses the products of chemical synthesis in many respects, and has no equal in terms of safety of use.

Linseed oil for wood is used in construction as an impregnation for wooden surfaces in saunas, baths, as well as all other types of buildings made from log cabins. Linseed bath oil is an excellent material for impregnating the surface, thanks to which it acquires a protective coating that prevents moisture from penetrating into the deeper layers of wood. Thanks to this, the wood does not dry out at high temperatures, it does not deform, does not rot, and over time, fungal accumulations are not deposited in the wood.

When finishing the bath from the inside, before applying layers of finishing varnish to the log cabins, the surface is well impregnated with technical linseed oil. Thus, a wooden frame is covered with a protective layer on all sides, which significantly extends its service life.

Linseed oil for artwork has gained great popularity. They are diluted with oil paints and varnishes. In addition, linseed oil can be used to clean brushes. Unlike the solvent and turpentine that are used for this purpose, linseed oil is odorless and very affordable.

The tree plays a big role in human life. People build wooden houses because they are much stronger, warmer and more environmentally friendly than other building materials. Wooden cutting boards are used for cooking; door handles, hatches, windows are also preferred by many to be made of wood.

To protect the wooden surface from moisture penetration or drying out, it is treated with oil.

How to protect wooden surfaces?

What is wood impregnation for? Everyone is well aware that the tree has a good ability to absorb water, moisture, that is, it is hydrophilic. From this, problems arise: the wood dries up, cracks, and the wooden object simply deteriorates. But if this item is a wooden handle from a knife, then the situation can be easily corrected by replacing it, unlike those cases when the wooden beam, which is the basis of the house, cracks and crumbles.

In order to avoid such troubles, it is necessary to treat the wood with substances that not only allow moisture not to penetrate into the wood, but also completely protect it from the harmful effects of the environment.

Flaxseed Oil Benefits

Linseed oil is an environmentally friendly product, it protects wood well and has high water-repellent properties.

There are a lot of stains, varnishes, chemicals in building materials stores, but they are all toxic and can harm human health. The best way to preserve wood surfaces is linseed oil. It is considered the strongest waterproofing substance and does not harm the human body. Impregnation of wood with this product has several advantages:

environmentally friendly substance;
helps to close even the smallest pores of the tree;
is a water repellent;
improves the appearance of the wooden surface.

In the process of wood impregnation, the substances that make up the oil thicken under the influence of external factors (oxygen, light, heat), that is, the polymerization process occurs. As a result of impregnation, linseed oil becomes a semi-solid mass. The more glycerides of polyunsaturated acids, namely linoleic and linolenic acids, are contained in the oil, the higher the solidification ability and its protective properties.

After impregnation, the wooden product will need to be allowed to dry so that the tree is further protected as much as possible.

Complete drying of the wood surface, after treatment with linseed oil, will occur in 2-3 weeks.

You can speed up the process with:

The oil thickens during the impregnation of the wood and it does not get dirty.

turpentine;
wax;
fly in the ointment.

When using turpentine, it must be remembered that this substance is toxic and can cause an allergic reaction. In addition, thermal burns may occur when in direct contact with the skin. Tar is a product of the dry distillation of wood, it is the same turpentine, but less toxic. Therefore, for safety, it is better to choose wax. Dissolving wax is not difficult: just heat it in a water bath and mix with oil. This composition has enhanced water-repellent properties.

Impregnation of wood at home

In order to impregnate wooden objects at home, you need to purchase linseed oil at any hardware store (if desired, wax, for faster solidification). If wax is present, then it must be heated first. Then linseed oil is heated and mixed with wax.

Even plates and children's toys can be impregnated with linseed oil.

It is not necessary to bring the composition to a boil: this is fraught with burns and is not at all necessary for a wooden surface. After that, with a thin foam rubber sponge or hands, apply oil to the wood and rub it in, repeat the procedure 5-6 times. Leave to dry for 3-4 days (if wax is present).

Some home craftsmen immerse a wooden product in a container of oil and leave it for 2-3 hours. The main indicator that the impregnation of a wooden product has already begun is the small air bubbles that appear on the wood.

Linseed oils, which include polyurethane components, do not require the addition of wax.

It has the property of being perfectly absorbed into wood and wood surfaces. Therefore, after processing, the oil practically does not remain on the wood, and the wooden surface becomes durable and wear-resistant. In addition, linseed oil is an excellent antiseptic for wood, because it protects it from moisture, which is the first cause of fungus and mold, due to which the tree simply begins to rot.

All wooden surfaces can be treated with oil. No harmful components are added to it, so you can safely process even surfaces such as:

Oil on a wooden surface is applied with a brush in a thin layer.

wooden spoons, plates;
children's toys made of wood;
any furniture;
ceiling and floor coverings.

The wooden surface should not be wet or damp - this is the main condition for processing. The permissible moisture content in wood should not exceed 14%. If the surface is not new and needs to be impregnated, first you need to clean it from the remnants of varnish and paint. After that, the surface must be sure to be cleaned of dust and remaining debris. In no case should you wipe the wood surface with a wet rag. Wood will immediately absorb moisture. Then clean with sandpaper and remove wood dust. In the room where the impregnation will be carried out, the humidity of the air should not be lower than 70%. If the impregnation is carried out on the street, then not in rainy or foggy weather, but in sunny weather.

It is necessary to apply linseed oil on a wood surface not in a thick, but in a thin layer, and several times. Wooden objects that lend themselves to constant use (for example, the floor) need to be treated 3-4 times a year, only in this case it will last a long time. And those household items that are not subjected to regular mechanical stress, such as bookshelves or cabinets, it is enough to process 1 time in 2-3 years.

Small parts and objects can be immersed in oil for impregnation.

Depending on how curly or smooth the surface is, and also given the thickness of the wood, you need to build on the amount of oil applied. It is worth noting that a thin layer will harden in a day. If necessary, you can carry out step-by-step impregnation. Processing can be done 6-8 times.

Linseed oil can be applied with foam rubber sponges or a brush. After processing the wood, it is better to keep the brushes in cold water. It is necessary to store the remaining linseed oil in a cold place, at a temperature not higher than 0 °.

The undeniable fact is that the wood coating will be more protected by oil wax. It is made from linseed oils. In addition, after impregnation of the wood, the color scheme of the surface is preserved and does not change, and due to the fact that bean wax is included in the oil wax, the wooden surface becomes shiny. Wax based on linseed oil can be used to impregnate light wood surfaces, valuable wood species are no exception. The following surfaces can be treated with oil wax:

stairs;
furniture;
the inside of the windows;
interior doors;
interior wood floors.

For the treatment of external wooden surfaces, it is better to use pure linseed oil, because only natural and concentrated oil has a dirt-repellent property. Therefore, it is better to treat the outer walls of log houses or the walls of a bath with pure linseed oil.

Linseed oil is considered to be the most versatile and inexpensive way to preserve wood flooring. No need to look for expensive water-repellent wood products. It is enough to process the surface and make sure of the effectiveness. Impregnation of wood is a process that takes quite a long time, but the end result will satisfy even the most capricious people.

Impregnation with linseed oil is carried out in two ways:

rubbing;
soaking.

You need to rub the oil into the wood only along the fibers. Soaking is recommended for small wood items. The item should be completely immersed in linseed oil for several hours or 1-2 days. A prerequisite is that the wood must dry after impregnation.

It is better to cover wooden surfaces with linseed oil, not varnish. The fact is that the varnish cracks over time, and moisture can get into small cracks, which will lead to swelling of the tree. The wood will begin to deteriorate and swell after a few months. Linseed oil penetrates deep into the wood and does not become glassy after drying. Accordingly, cracks will not occur, and moisture access to the wood will be limited. Due to the fact that cracks do not appear, the linen coating retains its shine much longer.