Boiled Linseed Oil On Cedar Siding

Sanding also helps open.

Boiled linseed oil on cedar siding. The raw one does not dry. The opinion on the use of oils on cedar is divided. Boiled linseed oil blo is a common item in my shop and in a lot of woodworker s shops. Using something like 120 grit sandpaper make sure there isn t any dirt or loose wood fibers lingering.

With linseed oil though it is the addition of certain solvents that causes linseed oil to dry more quickly acting as if it were boiled. This was much lighter toned when newer but over time has gotten darker with multiple coats of linseed oil over the years. When would you ever want it to not dry. It revitalizes old dried wood and gives it a new life.

We purchased a cedar sided home last oct found out the previous owner used a 50 50 mix of linseed oil turpentine on the siding. The applications were inconsistent as there are areas that have a heavy dried on film others that are dried wood. This makes it a better product for preserving tool handles decks and furniture. The actual boiling of some oils changes their drying characteristics true.

Blo is often mixed with other finishes and was once one of the main ingredients in most paints. It is a great oil treatment for woods leaving a smooth touch on the surface. Keep in mind applying boiled linseed oil straight out of the can to your cedar siding can and will darken over time. Old timers would soak their cedar with boiled linseed oil to afford some measure of protection.

And so for a siding sealing material for an exterior finish you use boiled linseed oil. Boiled linseed oil is not boiled. Linseed oil soaks into the grain creating a moisture resistant barrier that will not crack over time like paint will thus preventing moisture from getting underneath the product and causing decay of the wood. Overall the siding is in remarkably good shape for being 18 years old.

How to revive old wood. One of the earliest protections for cedar was oil. Some desire a little more protection than a sealer or preservative can supply yet want to retain the natural look and character of the wood.