BLO question - do you dilute with mineral spirits?

[Johnwye60]

Hello. I want to try boiled linseed oil on my axe handles - along with some garden tools and hammers - and since I have not used it before I thought I would read the instructions on the can. Yes I know - first mistake!

The directions on the BLO can (Sunnyside brand) says to dilute it with two parts of mineral spirits.

Do you do this? Or do you use BLO straight out of the can?

Thanx in advance for your help and suggestions.

I am looking forward to working with some old axe heads I've had for years - re-hang a couple along with clean and sharpen. Reading this forum has given me a bunch of information and stirred up a desire to spend a few hours in my shop!!

 

[jblyttle]

I don't, but some do. No wrong answer but two parts seems like way too much. Some do a 50/50 mix with turpentine (but spirits would work) when treating a new handle to help penetration, then straight BLO for future applications.

 

[Square_peg]

I've used a 50/50 mix to rejuvenate badly weathered old handles. I think it penetrates better. After a few coats of the thinned stuff I apply straight BLO or tung oil for the final finish.

 

[serotina]

I have some "nice" BLO - the fancy, no driers stuff - thinned with about 25% turpentine. This gives it roughly the consistency of the modified raw oil from the hardware store. I also have a big bucket of that stuff that is thinned 50% or more with paint thinner (make sure your paint thinner is mineral spirits - they have started to market some green stuff that won't do well as a thinner). I use this for dipping and soaking walnut parts I make (BLO improves the color), but also use it for handles when I rehang a tool. Linseed oil and tung oil are not film finishes, so you do want them to penetrate and thinning will help with that. Sunlight (and probably warmth) helps polymerize the oil if it's on too thick and annoyingly tacky. Probably not a problem for a working handle - tacky helps the grip! Of course, we get sunlight like crazy down here, that trick may not work in northern climes except in the summer.

 

[markv]

http://youtu.be/6SD62udn_Lk
using a 50/50 mixture of BLO and pinetar on axe handles
search youtube for other videos.
i use this method and it is reliable.
i buy a can of pinetar from my local farm supply store. it is used to treat horse hooves.

 

[A Visitor]

BLO/ Turpentine / Pine tar in equal parts. More turpentine for deeper penetration. Scrape/sand any varnish or oxidized finish - sun works great as posted .

 

[rjdankert]

Hello. I want to try boiled linseed oil on my axe handles - along with some garden tools and hammers - and since I have not used it before I thought I would read the instructions on the can. Yes I know - first mistake!

The directions on the BLO can (Sunnyside brand) says to dilute it with two parts of mineral spirits. . .

I don't know what it says on your can, but this is from the data sheet:

. . .Do you do this? Or do you use BLO straight out of the can?. . .

I like to start with at least 50% MS. Then asses as I go thinning (adding more MS) until I get what I want. I don't measure and I am looking for a particular flow and dry time. This is not going to be the same for everyone. I have used straight BLO, but didn't find an advantage for it.

I know I dodged the first question. I just don't think you will get a "one size fits all" answer. So I am just suggesting that you experiment and through experience find out what YOU like. However, if that isn't your cup of tea, you can get other products that are more out of the can friendly.

Bob