How to apply a Boiled Linseed Oil Finish

Boiled Linseed Oil is very easy to apply.
It's about as foolproof as any finish can get!
I show how to use BLO as a wood finish.

[@ragtie6177]

I have been in the coatings & finishing trades all my life. Even ran several sections for the Government as my main career for close to 20 yrs. Simply put, this was one of the best & easy to follow demonstrations out there. Very good job at not over complicating the process Fabian.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! I really appreciate that :)

[@1127kat]

Hi, that’s a really encouraging and nice a comment as you could wish for. Just a quick question on the oil and fine sandpaper segment. I have an American Black Walnut gun stock that I would like to improve if I could. I’ve noticed on close inspection that there are small pockets in the natural grain and areas that, maybe, by using the oil and sandpaper method, might work by filling in and smoothing out those areas. I’m presuming that the oil and sandpaper combination creates a kind of paste. Kind regards Mick.

[@mel.darion9354]

This one glows

[@pennyfulton3418]

Gets my vote too. By far the most expert instruction and expertly relayed information video ......and I did look through an awful lot of them...

[@harryweyer2174]

Rag Tie can this be lacquered over with a clear varnish,thank you.

[@judyn6639]

Thank you for this very clear demonstration. Can’t wait to try this on my freshly stripped antique solid walnut woodwork!

[@TJMahoney57]

Wow!! Simple, easy and beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!

[@LuisTorres-hf6dg]

Thank your for this amazing video, I'm new to this wood working world and this is so simple I don't think I can mess it up.

[@rickrodgers9277]

Thanks for the video. I heat the BLO before applying it to tool handles and it soaks in better.

[@MrDoohdaah]

Hi there Fabian, that piece of wood looked beautiful when you finished it. I'm inspired to do the same. it was easy and not expensive to do. Excellent video. Thanks.

[@GingersinMilford]

OMG. Thank you! Love your accent and your demonstration. I will be referencing this video for a long time. Very helpful.

[@TheHumbleCarpenter]

Just finding this video and your channel now. Thank you for the very clear and excellent explanation of the process. I am about to finish the top of my workbench with this linseed oil and see what it looks like 👍

[@kaitindall3272]

Thankyou Fabian this video has been a tremendous help in my current project, I look forward to watching many more of your videos

[@neilvirgo426]

Thanks Fabian. I never leave it soak in but will follow your advice and try that next. Good video.

[@danielmiskoidea]

Thanks Fabian! Useful information.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Glad you like it :)

[@rfarif7538]

just make from gloss finish to a matte and natural finish on my bass guitar neck using boiled linseed oil.. its feel perfect n smooth.. thanks for the video..

[@Theminecraftian772]

Holy cow! With the wax at the end there, I can almost feel the pressure you put on it slipping right off. Awesome job.

[@verminr]

A brilliant video once again. Clear and informative.

[@kennyc388]

Looks very nice to me. I just finished a small one cubic foot chest made out of 100+ year old cedar and will put a linseed oil finish in it. Should look nice with the solid brass hardware in addition to brass corners.

[@CarlKem]

I love your video Fabian! I like your style.

[@SantiagoCarmona25]

Thanks Fabian for posting this excellent tutorial.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

You're welcome :)

[@jefftucker9225]

Hi Fabian, I watched your Vid and it was very informative, after reading through the comments and seeing how you responded to to almost everyone who asked a question I decided to Sub, this is the way to grow your channel by taking the time to interact with your subscribers, Great Job!!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you Jeff! I truly appreciate that! :)

[@baconsoda]

This is very good. I use a lot of BLO but only on wooden tool handles. I never thought to apply it as a finish with wax. Thanks you. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you. Take care, Fabian

[@Dookiemcfluffin]

Awesome demo dude! Thanks man!!

[@evanthompson8925]

Thanks, easy to follow and apply to my waiting cedar plank project.

[@vladnickul]

I was shown to put it just like shelac. in thin coats. it takes for ever. basically one week to put it and another one till you can use it. but it absolutely worth the time. it has the nicest shine and touch .

[@cookinitmax]

I’m doing this on front poles on porch southern yellow pine 5 of them I’m using 1 part turpentine 3 parts linseed oil looks awesome.

[@t.shameem1833]

Most informative tutorial on this subject. Your technique thoroughly helped me to finish my wooden chair with less time and effort. Thanks for sharing such an excellent method.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! I really appreciate that!

[@theelizabethan1]

WOW -- why is this method not used more often?? It permits the natural beauty of the wood to be displayed....So satisfying!...... Those somber, shoe-polish stains get so tiresome.

[@francesluck6597]

All these years I never understood the intricacies of boiled linseed oil and waxing - I made the mistake years ago of thinking BLO was oil and not a lacquer type finish and I left a visible layer of oil on an oak dresser and it set hard, bad news.But now I know how! Many thanks Fabian.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

You are welcome :)

[@gordonmitchell729]

Excellent demonstration thank you

[@KagedCreations08XX]

Great video, BLO is one of my favorites.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Cheers :)

[@allaunier8143]

Very well explained. So many times procedures lack necessary information, but you have done a commendable job explaining how to apply BOL and very importantly why. Well done indeed!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@JMImperial54]

Excellent!

[@ShaunMeighan]

Thanks Fabian, great work!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Cheers! Glad you like it!

[@suseenrajasekaran7699]

A very well done video. Thank you, very informative,

[@justwondering5540]

I put this boiled linseed on the wash line props and it keeps the bees' of the props.I didn't know it would bring up the wood like that thanks Fabian.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@DeyvsonMoutinhoCaliman]

I like to work with wood, but used to avoid it many times because I hate dealing with varnish. It's not only expensive, but it's also toxic, and I don't want to get close to my newborn stinking of it. But then I started using linseed oil and it changed everything. It's not only easier to use, but it also smells much better.

[@xbmpr]

I finally found it, the most wholesome comment section

[@Samlol23_drrich]

xBMPR I can ruin that with one adjective. But I won’t. Wonderful video

[@Samlol23_drrich]

@Heywood Jablome great

[@junglejammer1]

Great information, Fabian. That finish looks silky smooth. I remember my father using BLO to preserve his wooden ladders.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you Dave! Glad you like it!

[@atteljas]

Fabians channel is just silly good. It seems to be almost like youtubes best kept secret as he does a great job here! Hope he gets more subscribers as we wiewers would benefit of the most 💪

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)

[@atteljas]

Fabian's Tiny Workshop Youre a star! 💪

[@disabledwoodworker]

Good video Fabian! Love to use BLO!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Cheers! Glad you like it!

[@charlesbutler4646]

Very interesting and educational, thank you.

[@uktay001]

Lovely finish on that piece of timber thank you :)

[@McCawley07]

Thank you for making this video!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you for watching this video ;-)

[@alydude2011]

This was perfect. Thank you.

[@leksey7870]

Excellent coverage, will have to try. Like!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Glad you like it!

[@thormusique]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Glad you like it!

[@opasworkshop8373]

Very nice project Fabian I always did like the oil finish better than poly

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you Opa :)

[@danalaniz7314]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@Jeff-gw1dv]

Now I know what to do with linseed oil thanks for posting, was not sure how many coats I could put on planter frame I made for the boss,

[@TheLittleGardenShedWorkshop]

Great job Fabian, Best wishes Harry

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Cheers :)

[@mrxyo]

Great video.

[@paddy120]

Very nice great job

[@SandeshCodhadu]

Thank you very much!

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Good tips Fabian! Regards.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you :)

[@alankovacik1928]

thanx, great video!

[@tacoladd8282]

Great video. This is how I'll rub my wood in order to finish from now on!

[@massam25]

Wow 😆

[@drinny26]

I have a large piece of wood I need to rub too. But I need help.

[@ncisawesome]

🤣🤣🤣

[@SJ-vr2sf]

Good stuff. Thank you.

[@JoeBellavia1]

Thank you! Nice job...

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

:-)

[@denk25143]

woooooooo wow yes i can i see it i see it that is a work of art and that look is warm ,clean, and exciting.

[@BillSinWorkshop]

Cool tip Fabian. I really like the Linseed oil. I used it to my last video for a reclaimed wood and gives the it a very beautiful surface!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Glad you like it :)

[@OkoZungu]

Thank you!

[@claudiafrers8923]

I have done as you explained on a kitchen countertop table. After the last application, I buffed the oil to a pretty shine. I waited 3 weeks and there are several moisture spots despite attempts to dry any water that comes in contact with the wood. I have only been able to remove these spots with baking soda but this also completely removes all the shine away. I would like to avoid wax and would love to hear any explanation as to why the shine apparently disappears and why these differences in shine/ matte areas appear.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

BLO is just not the right finish for a kitchen countertop table. BLO is not a surface finish and therefore will not protect as well from water and stains. You want a finish that completely seals the surface.

[@holyghost61]

If you wanted to have a deep shine take the palm of your hand and rub it in not a quick process but the results were pretty Spectacular from my point of view

[@geraldmahle9833]

Absolutely. High quality gunstock finishes are hand-rubbed. Looks like glass and easily repaired if wet.

[@Mixwell1983]

I wish you did part of the wood with stain and BLO I have an axe handle that I hung and sanded, applied 3 coats of BLO and it is smooth. Feels nice in the hand. Someone said for BLO apply each day for a week, each week for a month and each month for a year to get a solid finish.

[@rickrodgers9277]

What the hell?

[@ammarvo1502]

Very quick and simple video. Thanks so much, I got what I needed. One suggestion, for future video like this (obviously not on projects, but on scrap wood like this video). If you could leave a small space toward the end of the piece showing the difference between oiled and non-oiled and also a another small space next to that wax and unwaxed. Just to see a difference between all them.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you, these are good suggestions ;-)

[@cillyede]

Sehr gut, danke!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

:-)

[@jhartmac100]

Good job....

[@johndon820]

Great vid thank you

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

You're welcome :)

[@Fengshawn86]

Thanks!

[@mountainclimber579]

I also found that a final rub with fine steel wool makes it like velvet

[@alancosens]

Would the surface continue to get more and more glossy if one continued to apply more and more coats in this fashion? Also, would you know, if one used artist oil paint (which is linseed oil-based) in the same fashion would it perform in a similar fashion as BLO? Once the BLO is fully dry does buffing increase gloss at all?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

BLO is too soft (rubbery, gummy) to be used as a glossy top coat. It's meant to penetrate the wood. If you want a glossy oil finish you have to use an oil resin blend like danish oil or tru oil.

[@alancosens]

@@FabiansTinyWorkshop Thank you.

[@lennytheleopard]

Good vidoe Fabian

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thanks Lenny :)

[@beniciomoldenado2315]

Very nice video, thank you for making it. The end product is beautiful. After you have applied wax to the BLO finish, can you ever apply more BLO over the wax, or do you have to sand back to bare wood? Thank you.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

You have to remove the wax first.

[@nitro74cs]

Thanks a lot, very helpful information, can you please tell if raw linseed oil or cold pressed linseed oil can be used on wood. Many thanks

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

You can but I would not recommend it because it takes very long to cure (up to weeks) and might stay sticky if it's not cleaned from mucilage to make it suitable for wood finishing.

[@darrisnelson5223]

Very helpful video. I love the matte finish and feel of the wood. I will use this process for a teak dining table. If I use paste wax to finish should I just lightly sand when I reapply to BLO annually? Also, can I use 0000 steel wool instead of sand paper? Thank you.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Sorry that my reply took so long. Yes you can use steel wool

[@YanniTheSpartan]

Sweet!

[@terryewald2681]

Very nice video. One question - is there a difference between finishing a single piece of wood that you can lay flat and a fully assembled piece of furniture? In an assembled piece of furniture, not all of the surfaces will be horizontal. So do I have to worry about the oil running down the side of any vertical pieces?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

If it's running you can simply wipe off the oil. Unlike lacquer it will not cure instantly.

[@MarkMcCluney]

Hey! That looks terrific! I'll have to give that a try. What was that wax brand?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! It's PNZ Antikwachs, nothing special just a paste wax.

[@lalayrayuh1299]

Can acrylic gesso be applied on wood with boiled linseed oil?

[@lilshortchick82]

Thanks so much for this video! I bought a 2nd hand pine dining set that is really sturdy, but the wood seems like it was never finished beyond staining. I used Murphy's cleaner and then BLO (using your tutorial) and the pieces already look great. I am waiting for the 1st 24-48 hours before I do the 2nd coat. In your video, it looked like you sanded for a long time. Will a quick sanding be better than no sanding at all or should I skip the sanding if I'm not willing to take as much time as you did. There is a table, bench, and four chairs, so it would require a lot of sanding. Thanks so much!!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

If you're not willing to take as much time you answered your own question. ;-)

[@lilshortchick82]

@@FabiansTinyWorkshop Thanks for your super fast response! I think I'll sand the table top and a few places where the wood is not really smooth, but I like the kind of rustic look. Thank you again!

[@bugsysiegals]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve got a Maple/Walnut shop cabinet and am undecided on how to finish. I’ll have to test some Maple and Walnut with BLO. That said, can you finish over the top so you never have to oil again? Perhaps a sanding sealer and then clear?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

If you never what to refresh the finish an oil might not be the way to go. As you said. Use a protective clear coat like for example a polyurethane.

[@led6244]

Fabian, love your videos. Wonderful information. Question: can a shellac be put ontop of BLO, then a water based product? Clients huge piece is over 150 yrs old and needs hydration before minimal whitewash effect to lighten the wood tones and highlight all the hand carvings. Thanks in advance

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Hello, shellac ontop of fully cured BLO works fine. If it works with other products I do not konw.

[@MrSnootyFace]

Can the paste wax be used on wood that is for outdoor use? Great video thanks.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

I don't know.

[@xCheeseHead95x]

Fabian is Fabulous

[@robbos8486]

Hi Fabian, looking at the workshop tool drawers behind you and would love to produce something similar for my machine shop. Have you by any chance made a video of when you made these drawers?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

I did not build them. I bought those a long time ago.

[@peterstevens6555]

Kia Ora & Good Evening from Auckland, New Zealand …great video bro …

[@daradavis5]

Looks beautiful! Can this be used to restore antique furniture with a few scratches?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Ideally antique furniture should be restored with the original kind of finish. If your furniture had a gloss finish (laquer/shellac...)BLO is not the right finish. If it had a wax/oils finish you can use BLO. Be aware that it will not remove scratches. On the contrary it might highlight those scratches.

[@remc0s]

I use boiled linseed oil to keep my Japanese white oak bokken and jō-my wooden training swords and staff-in good condition. Works like a charm.

[@lgg468]

great info. thanks. for a djembe, is blo ok or danish oil better?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

BLO is ok... I think.

[@jakemetcalfe3091]

I have a piece of green wood that I cut down a couple of days ago from a coppice. I believe its sycamore. I've cut it to make a thumb stick. Would using boiled linseed oil be ok to apply to wood that has not fully dried of its internal moisture? Also, would I benefit from adding a coat of bees wax after the oil? I have cut designs into the wood, not completely de-barked it, so would I benefit from applying the oil / wax to the areas with bark on also? I want to prevent the ends from cracking. Thanks.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

I'm sorry but I don't know if linseed oil will prevent the ends from cracking.

[@Slane583]

I know your post is a couple of weeks old. But putting beeswax on the ends of your lumber will seal the ends while it dries and will prevent the wood from cracking. The ends crack because that's where the wood is drying from first. :)

[@jackdawcaw4514]

Hi Fabian. Question from a new subscriber here too. Thanks for this video by the way. I'm finishing an oak table. I bought it intentionally unfinished because I wanted to make it look and feel as natural as possible. I like that it is so light and not yellow-ish as you often see with oak furniture. I tried to apply a water repellant coating, but unfortunately the table feels too rough for me. It makes it a bit uncomfortable. The table has been sanded, but you feel the grain and there are these little 'hairs' and splinters standing up and coming off the wood. What would be a good way of finishing this table, so that it retains as closely as possible its natural light oak color, while being protected, and also being soft to the touch? Sorry for the long question and thank you for your answer.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

The first coat of a finish can sometimes raise the grain (the little 'hairs' and splinters standing up). Lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper and repeat the application. Since most oil finishes tend to yellow over time I guess an oil finish might be the wrong choice for you. A whipe on poly is durable but it can look artificial. And since oak is an open grain wood you might have to think about filling the grain. I am not an expert on finishing other than with oil or shellac so I'm afraid I can't give you any good advice.

[@dumitrascuclaudiu7097]

Hey there,Gents! I use for sanding, a angle grinder, speed dial, whit a velcrou sand paper attachment. I think becouse of the rotative speed, the resoult's are so much bether, becouse i for a harry piece of wood in to a fine work of art. U could fight the hairy grains by chaising it up- ords, changing the position of rotation. Wood is a Gift of Good for Humanity, that transforms the Time in to Wondefull abjects whit fyu skilfully hands from...Just a Seed, imagine😲👉🤔w(°ｏ°)w

[@theelizabethan1]

​@@FabiansTinyWorkshop Would a white wax keep the yellowing toned down? Or does the wax have any penetrative effect at all, over the Boiled Linseed Oil?

Prima Anleitung! Leinöl ist auch mein Favorit. Der Warnhinweis, das sich die Lappen selbst entzünden können, scheint mir ein bischen übertrieben. Ich stopf die Lappen immer in eine offene Blechdose und die ist noch nicht mal warm geworden.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Stimmt schon, Wärme ist mir auch noch nie aufgefallen, aber von irgendwo wird das wohl kommen und ich will doch ein Vorbild sein für all die kleinen Holzwerker da draußen ;-)

[@neznyw]

Stephan Pöhnlein ich wünsche das sind keine „famous last words“...est ist sehr gefährlich, doch wenn die Lappen ohne Druck trocken können kann es gut gehen. Auch gelöscht mit Wasser ist ein zweiter Entzündung möglich.

[@pillingthemsoftly4738]

After doing this (I'm using Hickory), can you then do a oil-based Poly top coat finish to protect it? I'm making some shelves that might take abuse.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Yes you can. Just don't use wax.

[@pitbullchristian]

Thank you for explaining this. Will this make the wood water-sealed? Or can it be applied over top of a water-sealer? Thanks!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

No and no

[@pitbullchristian]

@@FabiansTinyWorkshop Thank you

[@MissLauraBean]

Hallo Fabian, do you think I could use this process on the red oak plywood I am putting on the walls of my house? Or do you think it would be too yellow? What would you recommend? Danke!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Oh sorry but I don't know if you'd like the color. It will definitely get a honey tone over time.

[@diygeneration5566]

*Linseed oil is an excellent ancient means of coating wood. And beeswax. Not only can these components be mixed in Danish Oil. There is a video of its recipe on my channel!*

[@zigwagbag]

Great video, can you please explain the benifit of using wax, does this offer more protection from dirty hands.. I have young kids and worried the doors will still get marked.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

It offers slightly more protection but mainly it provides a satin sheen.

[@lerosh2226]

Excellent,,rgds

[@johnraviolli]

Can you stain with any sort of powder the oil, or you have to stain the surface before applying?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

you have to stain the surface before applying

[@dennisrkb]

Dear Fabian, I love the smell, touch, and feel of un-finished wood. What is a good preservative for indoor furniture that maintains wood's properties as much as possible?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

There is no finish that maintains the look and feel of unfinished wood and offers sufficient protection. If you want protection you have to make a compromise. A renaissance wax finish or boiled linseed oil combined with wax might be a good compromise but a spilled glas of red wine for exampe might still stain the wood. The more finish on the wood surface the better the protection. Maybe take some scrap wood and do a test with wax, boiled linseed oil, danish oil (or any other finishing oil) laquer etc.. to find out what might be the best compromise for your project.

[@Oakleaf700]

25 years ago I had a rocking horse with a chipped shellac stand {timber is a fine grade pine and beech} ...I removed the shellac with meths, and applied linseed oil {boiled} and rubbed it in, and applied several more coats, and it looks lovely..and no nasty chipping off like you can get with shellac.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

I really like boiled linseed oil. It is one of my favorite finishes and it's really so easy to work with. And It looks great but sometimes you need something "more fancy". For a mirror finish I like french polishing with shellac. Shellac only chips off if the wood gets wet or it was applied on for example a lacquer based sealer. Usually you will notice a milky looking surface if laquer (or some other sealer) was used underneth the chipped shellac. Which sadly was done a lot because it builds up faster. If it was an antique pice it might also be that the shellac used was a blend of differnt resins - this was sometimes done to cut down on the price. If it's done right you don't have to worry for a life time. There are still existing french polished pieces from the 18th century that look pretty decent ;-) I do have a tutorial about french polishing with shellac on my channel.

[@Oakleaf700]

@@FabiansTinyWorkshop You are spot on about the chipping being caused by damp 👍 The horse {have had several where the shellac has 'flaked'} and in every case the horse has been stored in an attic, or damp shed.. Damp is the very worst enemy of old wooden toys, {along with woodworm}...these two make an unholy alliance and work together to destroy old timber.... Improper storage is the problem...the children grow up go off to fight in Wars,{WW1 especially} and their old horse is put away.... sometimes to be discovered 100 years later. Real French polish...it is a skill to get 100% right....I did a woodwork course that had a section on French polish, and the tutor said ''you will know when it is deep enough, as you will see your face appear..}we only worked on veneered panels we had made.. I will have a look at your video .. Thanks :)

[@nuruzzaman4893]

Hi Fabien, I've use BLO on my new beehive which is made of cedar. It has come up a bit like a pine wood colour and not as dark or as shiny as yours. The surface also was not as smooth to start off either. How do I now fix mistake?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

If the surface was not smooth you need to sand it smooth an try again. If you don't like the look of cedar try a different kind of wood. Using a hardwood like for example maple will or like in my case pear will result in the best sheen. Cedar ist just not that kind of wood. If you make the surface of the wood wet you can simulate how a finish will affect the look.

[@nusaman]

How long before it dries out and needs a new application? It looks great but I am afraid I would have to redo the finish every year.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

It does not dry out because it does not stay oily. BLO is a drying oil. It hardens (polymerizes).