Oil or similar for outside furniture

[didireallysaythat]

So you use teak oil on hardwood but what do you use on softwood ? I have a pine bench I've scrubbed the algae off and I'd like to treat it with something to help preserve it a little longer..

Danish oil - I think you can use that on hard and soft wood. You can paint it on or get it in a spray (more expensive)

Danish oil is made of linseed oil mixed with white spirit. It is very thin and suitable for indoor furniture.

You can buy a bottle of Boiled Linseed oil for a few pounds, which will be more durable. In the sun it has a delightful scent. Apply several coats a day apart, wipe off any excess that does not soak in. The first one or two coats should be thinned with white spirit 50/50 so they soak in better. Sand the surface clean first. It does not prevent damp so mould can grow under the oil if damp. I apply Cuprinol Clear wood preservative first, that might be why I don't get the mould. It smells until dry. Don't sit on new oil until a week after you think it is dry. You can re-apply in a couple of years or if it is scuffed or dry.

You can also get branded oils for decking and garden furniture, it will only cost you five times as much.

An important tip is that rags soiled with linseed and other oils (including cooking oils) can spontaneously ignite as they dry. Wet them with water and tie in a plastic bag and bin them, or put them on the bonfire or barbie as firelighters. Do not ever put these rags in your shed or a cupboard. I have seen it, once.