How to Maintain Natural Finish for Interior Timber

You don’t need to drastically change the look of your timber to protect and nourish it with a coating. If you want to maintain the natural look of your timber grain, follow the below steps for a beautifully natural finish.

You’ll need:

• Cabot’s Danish Oil
• Roller, brush or rag
• Flat blade stirrer
• 240-grit sandpaper
• Methylated Spirits

You may also need:

• Timber Putty
• Cabot’s Floor Clean
• 180-grit Sandpaper
• Polish remover

Preparation

Start with using methylated spirits to remove any dirt, grease, oil or stains from the timber surface. If you have previously polished the surface remove it with a polish remover. You’ll also need to remove any scratches or blemishes from the surface by sanding it down with 180-240 grit sandpaper.

Handy tip: Don’t fill any holes or cracks with a timber putty yet! Wait until after the first coat of Danish Oil has been applied, this will ensure a better colour match.

If you have bare interior timber, using 180-240 grit sandpaper, sand the timber so it’s smooth and even following the direction of the grain. Don’t forget to remove all traces of dust from the surface before coating.

If you have previously coated timber, remove any previous coatings using a polish remover or paint stripper, sand back to bare timber and remove any trace of dust from the surface.

Application

Grab your can of Cabot’s Danish Oil, do not shake it! Instead, stir thoroughly with a flat paddle stirrer before and during use. Apply the oil following the direction of the grain using a roller, brush or a clean rag.

Leave to dry for at least eight hours. After that, fill any holes or cracks with a wood-tone putty. Doing it now rather than before the first coating will ensure a better colour match at the end.

Using 240-grit sandpaper, lightly sand between coats to remove any grain rise. Ensure you remove any trace of sanding dust before continuing to coat again.

Apply a second coat and repeat the above steps. Ensure you sand lightly between each coat. For a more lustrous finish, apply a third coat.

Dry time

Allow to dry for at least eight hours. Read the label on the back of the can for more information on dry times.

Marvel at your handiwork

Grab your favourite cool beverage and a deck chair, sit back and marvel at your handiwork. Maybe even snap a few pics for Instagram?. Don’t forget to tag us @insppaint!