Picking out wood for a mantel
We were sorting out old wood in the corn crib today. Looking for a piece for 2 mantels in the farmhouse, corner fireplaces upstairs and in the basement below it. Chose there 2 2x12's. Hard as iron. Probably 80 years or more since they were cut and we like the rough cut of the circular blade.
I figure to give them a light pressure washing but what's the best way to seal them. I'm guessing no stain but something to seal them. Any advice?
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I’m a minwax polyurethane fan. Takes some water in case you have a plant on the mantle in the non-heating season.
Looks like a nice project!
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Try some samples of water based poly and oil based. The will each change the appearance, see which one you like. I usually prefer the oil-based but it all depends on the wood.
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I wouldn't hit it with the pressure washer. That's just forcing water into a nice dry piece of wood and you'll just have to wait for it to dry out completely. Hit it with some dry air from your compressor then give it a very light once-over with a sander. Just enough to knock the slivers off.
For sealing it up try some Watco Danish oil. You can pick from a variety of colors from natural to very dark. The natural will give it about the same color as any of the products listed above but the Watco doesn't have that 'plasticky' look to it.
Your boards look like they could have come out of the same barn as the ones I used in this staircase! Some of them have horseshoe prints in 'em. Made a beautiful staircase.
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You can clean it with a wire brush and an air hose that will help maintain the rough sawed look. I wouldn't pressure wash it due to moisture.
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I find them to be a bit too rough for your needed application. The grooves will collect dust and anyone wiping the surface will get slivers. JMHO, but I'd at least fine sand the top surface of your mantles and slightly round the edges smooth and just leave the mostly visible edges in the rough.
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Pressure wash to get rid of the decades of junk stuck to the surface. Light sanding as mentioned and then treat them with boiled linseed oil. Keep applying it until they quit soaking it up.
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At 80 years old, the patina should be fairly deep. Sand an area that won’t be exposed and see if you like the finish. A lot of coats of poly will fill the deep grooves that remain, allowing for cleaning.
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...Half Linseed Oil and half Naptha (petroleum distillate ), great for any outdoor fencing etc...
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htredneck: 33170493222939/comments/33170554137371
Pressure wash to get rid of the decades of junk stuck to the surface. Light sanding as mentioned and then treat them with boiled linseed oil. Keep applying it until they quit soaking it up.
https://us.v-cdn.net/6031683/uploads/KS2GXT6QJQRS/fireplace.jpg
Now the smoke will go up the chimney.
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When I redid ours, we just left the 8x8 all natural:
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