Use of linseed oil
Hi, Experts. I recently read an article by a collector who says he using linseed oil to help bring back the appearance of an old Winchester. What is not explained is how linseed oil is used to improve the apppearance, of what? Wood? Metal? Both? I have an old Winchester Model 94 where both the wood and the metal look dark and tired. Is this a fitting subject for application of linseed oil? If so, exactly what is the process? Thanks Curious George (Jim)
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It will put life and moisture back into old crackled wood, not metal. Dont use it more than a couple of times on one stock or it will start to build up and look refinished.
Let it soak in for 15 minutes and wipe it all off. I prefer to thin it so it penetrates deep.
This is my opinion only and many experts (of which I am not) will say do nothing.0 -
I agree with cartod, the key is to wipe it off, if you leave a heavy coat of linseed oil on a stock you can measure drying time with a calender (several!). another good product is 'cleanzoil', this works well on wood or metal. 0 -
Ballistol is a great product to help clean and not harm in any way Metal Wood and leather Best stuff I ever used. 0 -
I like to apply it and then put the gun in a hot attic for a few hours, then wipe it off. The heat thins it a bit and helps it soak in. It's also good to vigorously rub the oil in with your fingers (you may want to use gloves, it's a little sticky to remove). 0 -
BE CAREFUL DISPOSING OF YOUR LINSEED OIL RAG(S)!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I'm shouting.
Used BLO rags have been known to catch fire all on their own. Dispose in a metal trash can or similar.
"Rags soaked with linseed oil stored in a pile are considered a fire hazard because they provide a large surface area for oxidation of the oil, and the oil oxidizes quickly. The oxidation of linseed oil is an exothermic reaction, which accelerates as the temperature of the rags increases. When heat accumulation exceeds the rate of heat dissipation into the environment, the temperature increases and may eventually become hot enough to make the rags spontaneously combust."0 -
I really like the LINSPEED product instead of linseed. And yes oily rags do start fires. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by brummiejim
Hi, Experts. I recently read an article by a collector who says he using linseed oil to help bring back the appearance of an old Winchester. What is not explained is how linseed oil is used to improve the apppearance, of what? Wood? Metal? Both? I have an old Winchester Model 94 where both the wood and the metal look dark and tired. Is this a fitting subject for application of linseed oil? If so, exactly what is the process? Thanks Curious George (Jim)
The wood could be oil soaked also, which is an etirely different thing. Post up a picture of this old tired beauty.0 -
For best results, I suggest that you go to an art supply store and buy a bottle of Grumbacher's Pale Drying Oil. It is a highly refined linseed oil with a chemical dryer added. Its advantages over regular (raw) linseed oil from the hardware store is that it dries very fast and it darkens less on aging. For best results, dilute it with turps or odorless paint thinner 1:1 and apply it to wood. Allow to stand about 1 hour and then wipe off the excess. This will dry to the touch overnight and another coat can be applied if needed.
Remember that oil soaked rags are a fire hazard. They must be disposed of only in a metal trash can having a cover.0 -
On my dry 1942 Enfield stock, I applied linseed oil too thick and applied four treatments in four consecuative days. Bad idea. The LO couldn't soak in and remained tacky (i.e., it wouldn't dry). I should have applied a thin coat and waited two/three/four days before applying a second one. 0 -
there is some lady named "Eugenia" or something like that who calls herself the "Queen of Clean". She has come up with many concotchons
of cleaning, polishing, and spot removing using mostly ingredients found around the home. Here is her furniture polish:
1 part linseed oil
1 part turpentine
1 part white vinegar
I have found this to be quite effective on old gunstocks and there is no build-up.0
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