Very Old Church Door in Need of TLC

[Sue Wilkinson]

I remember someone, was it Penners? trying to come up with the right finish for an oak door.

Our church door (sheltered inside a porch) is very old and very dry. It feels dusty to the touch. It would really appreciate some oil of some sort I think. I've been asked what I recommend, but I'm not sure, I've not used oil on such an ancient bit of wood before.

Anyone any advise on the best way to feed this door and give it a new lease of life? It doesn't want staining, just feeding to strengthen the wood fibres. It is dry, the porch protects it from rain.

Sue

 

[Penners]

No, Sue, I was interested in a way of cleaning a muck-encrusted door.

To oil oak, I've usually used linseed. Boiled seems to dry better.

 

[biffvernon]

That's right. I'd be tempted to leave it till the warm spring or it might still be sticky on Sunday.

 

[L1zzy]

Linseed oil would be my choice - it'll bring it up to a dark grey/black if its grey already - rather attractive and 'right' I feel. It'll also protect it muchly. Like Biff I would wait till spring ideally then wrm some up 9a la Holkham ) in an old saucepan and paint it on x2 coats or more if you feel up to it. Wish I had an old door all mine are - dubious!

 

[Penners]

Wish I had an old door all mine are - dubious!

I'm also dubious, but that hasn't stopped me being old as well.

 

[Nemesis]

I'd call SPAB...

 

[andrew gayton]

use raw linseed oil; this will soak in - and still dry given time - while boiled will dry too quickly due to the driers contained within and act more as a film covering.... note that it will darken the oak slightly.

 

[joatex]

Wendlebury Church (OX25) door was water stained so I used fine wire wool plus meths and rubber gloves to take off the old surface. Tear a small piece off the wire wool roll, spray meths onto the wool, gently rub the surface along the grain. The scrapings quickly fill the wool so you need to replace the wool frequently. Constantly wet the wool with meths.

Next I used Danish oil instead of linseed oil, raw or boiled. The aim is to achieve an oxidised surface on the applied oil. Raw linseed will do that eventually but meantime gathers dust and debris. Boiled linseed oil is just a little faster at oxidising. Danish oil has additions to dry the oil quickly. In a few days again gently rubdown the surface with wire wool and recoat with Danish oil. That's it for another 30 years.

The pictures may show but if not email me and I'll post them. [/img]

 

[Nemesis]

That's all a bit drastic for ancient fabric - if it's listed talk to the CO first!

 

[joatex]

Nemesis I wish I could show the pics, better still the door itself, it's not listed. I restore old furniture and am used to the method described. Like oil painting restoration it's simply a matter of removing the dross of ages.without harming the original surface. Gently, very gently is the action.

 

[Nemesis]

If listed - I would seek advice first.

Oak does go silver... it still lasts for centuries. It looks wonderful.

 

[Schoolmarm]

..... it's simply a matter of removing the dross of ages.

Is this what I refer to as patina?

 

[Penners]

Is this what I refer to as patina?

No - I think that's something that you knit socks with.

A knitting patina.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

It's the way I tell 'em

 

[middi]

What a caring lot you all are.

St Peter will welcome you with open arms for looking after God's house.

Penners will be last , he makes knitting jokes.

 

[Penners]

Penners makes knitting jokes.

Middi - I'm very flattered that you should classify that as a joke.

I don't think anyone else did (my wife included).

 

[Nemesis]

It wasn't one of your finest I have to admit... didn't have me in stitches, dropped or otherwise.

 

[Penners]

The sad truth is that it probably was one of my finest.