Any advice on wax/oil for new oak window frames?

[nickc]

The restoration of all 11 front windows with new oak frames and re-using the existing brass cames and glass is nearing completion.

However, I am struggling to find the best treatment for the interior oak. I would like to leave it as it is - a beautiful light colour, but it stains and marks easily and probably needs some form of wax or oil for protection. I have tried linseed oil and Danish oil but both darken the natural colour (despite being transparent) and give a slightly shiny appearance. Any suggestions for a suitable wax or oil which will leave the natural light oak colour of the wood, whilst giving some protection and moisture?

 

[biffvernon]

Oak will always darken eventually. I use a very pale cold pressed linseed oil and then beeswax. You could just use beeswax straight on the bare wood. That will keep it pretty pale.

You will always get marks on new oak if it gets wet (assuming your not covering it with polyurethane varnish!) as the fresh tannins are soluble and mobile. But the marks do fade in time.

...brass cames? Sounds interesting. Do tell more.

 

[shelli]

Info about Tung Oil below

I used on Kitchen floorboards in last house to good effect

Tung oil was used to waterproof Chinese ships as long ago as the 14th century. The thin, transparent oil penetrates deep into wood pores, forming an almost permanent seal against moisture because it never loses its elasticity.

also as China Wood oil.

The oil is amber-coloured and contains a high proportion of eleostearic acid.

Tung oil is an ideal "binder" or "vehicle", carrying the resins and driers deep into the pores of the wood so that sealer and finish coats practically become part of the wood - drying into an armour-like yet beautiful surface.

 

[MDE]

Has anyone tried Rubio monocoat for window frames? I have tried it on some oak furniture and it seems to work very well. You only need the tiniest amount - allegedly it binds with the cellulose in the wood in 15 minutes, then you wipe off the excess and finish with beeswax if required. It says that it is just natural oils, but I don't know what they are.

 

[biffvernon]

One has to consider the wider environmental impact of the products one uses. Tung oil production produces a lot of these:

while linseed is more of a

 

[biffvernon]

Has anyone tried Rubio monocoat for window frames?

I haven't tried it but I notice that the Wood Workshop say:

As the name implies, you only apply one coat to the wood and a chemical reaction with the cellulose content in the wood bonds the finish to the wood. We have used finishing oil and wax for a lot of years now and didn't expect to find anything better, but ever ready to try new things, when the importers asked us to try it out, an off-cut was sanded up, Monocoat applied following the instructions and then used as a coaster in the workshop and to my surprise it stayed looking good after a week of wet bottomed hot mugs being stood on it. So a coffee table that had a damaged top and needed to be sanded clean and refinished was done in Monocoat. This is one of our stock items and the lovely feel of it has caused many comments by the public who have seen it at the last 3 shows we have been to. The latest of our commissions have been finished with Monocoat and although I have put a light coat of wax on the top to hide some minor defects in the wood it has only helped with the look of the finished pieces.

 

[nickc]

Thanks for the replies. I'll look for a cold pressed pale linseed oil (I used ordinary stuff from a decorator's centre). I'll also look into Tung Oil - a new one on me.

Biff, the cames are described as copper? in the listing but the window restorer thinks they are brass. Apparently it's quite unusual. Although the timber framed house was built c1590 it was re-faced with a brick south facade c1700 (or 1790 according to FWB Charles). The windows probably date from this work - so the oak frames lasted reasonably well (would probably still be there if previous owners had attended to some pointing over the arches). Not much old glass left, but some has been saved. There are 2 smaller windows in the attic with very old glass, possibly pre-dating the 18thC refurb.

 

[biffvernon]

That sounds interesting. Any chance of a picture? Copper and brass cames are a bit of a superior product to lead. You can still get the stuff but these days it seems more commonly used in the USA than here.

 

[pianoredwood73]

I've found Osmo clear wood oil is fantastic - bit pricey though. They do a version with a UV filter which means the oak won't silver down over time, and one without the UV filter which protects the wood but obviously allows the sunlight and weather to fade the wood naturally over the years. I used this one on the exterior of my hardwood windows and within a year they'd all silvered down really nicely esp the ones which had the most sun. On the inside I put one coat of clear wood oil then hand waxed them, they looked fabulous. Was told that the windows didn't need any protection but you can't help feeling you want to put something on...

I got my local Brewer's to order the Osmo stuff - whole range is good in my opinion - but they also have a good website I think. Sorry can't remember it but if you're interested I'll try to find contact details.

Hope this helps.
Sarah