Treating a front door

[oldbikemike]

Hi all,

Every year I sand my front door by hand and treat it with Danish oil for the upcoming year. It is an original oak double door and as the house is south facing it becomes very weathered from the sun.

I have found that Danish is oil is mediocre but barely keeps the door treated for the whole year so I am looking for a replacement. Could anyone suggest a better alternative to treat the door with? I need something which is clear preferably.

I could take pictures of the door if it would help.

Thanks a lot,

Mike

 

[biffvernon]

Rather than changing the oil, how about changing the mental paradigm? Let the sun weather the oak to it's naturally beautiful silvery grey. Ageing doors and wives need to be valued for themselves not their cosmetic coatings.

 

[Craig]

I think Danish Oil is made of Tung Oil with some drying agents. You could switch to pure Tung Oil?

Also, why sand it back? You can apply oil over oil usually?

What old bike do you have Mike?

 

[Nemesis]

As at Sissinghurst:

 

[oldbikemike]

Many thanks everyone for those thoughts. I guess I have a mind set for shiny things so I never thought to let it weather. Perhaps I will just let it be.

By the way Craig, it is a 36 year old BMW R60/5. Simple; like an old tractor that just runs and runs.

Will keep you posted on what I decide.

Best regards,

Mike

 

[Craig]

The kraft-werk beemers are lovely aren't they.

Nice door too.

 

[Penners]

why sand it back? You can apply oil over oil usually?

I agree with Craig. It shouldn't be necessary to sand before you re-oil. So - if you want to carry on oiling - the no-sanding policy makes the job a hell of a sight easier.

But Biff's right*. Weathered old oak looks wonderful.


(*except in his use of the forbidden business buzzword)

 

[Geoff Flegg]

To hijack the post.....

What about a pine front door? Mine is original to the house, and although a bit battered I want it to stay, if nothing else for the stained glass panels. My neighbour got rid of their matching one, which is a shame.

Currently it looks like it's been treated with woodstain a long time ago, definietly seen better days! I'd rather not paint it - any suggestions for a clear finish? As I'm going to the trouble of stripping the frame back to bare to put linseed paint on, it seems a shame to slap something modern and that's not good for the wood on. Obviously being softwood leaving it bare as for an oak door isn't really an option.