Nourishing Oak Beams

[thiambal]

Hi All,

A couple of quick questions.

My sister has just moved into a new house which is part C18th and part C19th. The C18th section has extensive Oak beams which during a previous restoration have been "insert correct wood working term" to remove the black colour and reveal light coloured wood. In doing so they have been left very very dry, with patches ofraised grain where the 'restoration' work has been done badly.

I am figuring that nourishing them in some way would be good for the wood and also bring out some of it beauty. What would be the best approach?.......

Also the beams have lots of flight holes in them as you would expect for a property that old. Collective family are concerned that the wood worm is active although the beams are supposed to have been 'treated' during restoration. My guess would be to wait for wood dust to be produced from new flight holes before becoming concerned....what do people think.

Thanks chaps (and chapesses)

 

[Nemesis]

Agree re the wait and see approach...

Consider a decent beeswax and turps polish, nourishes and smells great too.


http://tinyurl.com/3xmal2


SPAB link to more info.

 

[Craig]

PS - turps is not white spirit

(I am sure Nemesis knows this but figured that as its such a commonly used term it would be worth pointing out that its used wrongly most of the time...)

 

[biffvernon]

The patches of raised grain are best dealt with by smoothing with fine abrassive paper, a wet/dry pad used dry or a cabinet maker's srcaper.

A coat of decent linseed oil may help before you add the beeswax, but try on a small portion first as you may not want the darkening that can result.

 

[Nemesis]

Turps - the SPAB link says about that under the pic of the turps.

Agree Biff - removal of really rough parts will help, linseed can darken - depends on the effect required. All eventually will lighten, but wax will help fill in some holes too.

 

[thiambal]

Thanks all,

Top tips as always!!!

Sam

 

[Penners]

"insert correct wood working term"

Judging from your description, I'm a bit concerned that the correct woodworking term might be sandblasting.

Is the raised grain quite pronounced, and does the surface of the wood have a slightly gritty or woolly feel? If so, then I fear you'll have a fair bit of elbow grease to expend on scraping and/or sanding.

 

[Craig]

Nemisis - I knew you'd complain about me posting that I know your link said it but I figured people only usually read half of what they see! (Usually the half they wanted to see in the first place)

 

[Nemesis]

It does say you can use the other stuff BUT it isn't as good!

I suppose in the end it eventually evaporates, leaving behind the wax.

 

[Fizzer]

We have some painted wood beams, we'd like to get rid of the paint. what's the best way to get rid of it?
(sorry to hijack but it seems on topic)

 

[skier-hughes]

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/about.htm

Do some excellent paint removers, hard work, but really worth the effort, I'm aprt way through doing my kitchen at present.

If you want to run the risk of the heavens falling down on you then there is sand-blasting, quicker but not as kind to the wood, which you need to look at preserving the best you can.

Graham

 

[Fizzer]

excellent, thanks for the link Graham I think I'll get a trial pack of 'kling strip'