Fresh sawn oak

[timber]

Has anyone got suggestions as to what is the best finish to stop wooden porch supports from developing cracks , it appears that linseed oil is not suitable for exterior woodwork
Timber

 

[MikeG.]

Nothing on this planet is going to stop cracks developing in oak as it dries. There isn't a suitable finish for exterior green oak anyway, so, I'm afraid, you'll just have to go with the flow as thousands of years of oak workers before you have had to. Don't worry, the cracks are part of what makes oak framing so beautiful, and have no effect whatever on strength or longevity.

 

[Lazurus]

I have an old 6" x ^2 post holding a porch, it weathered to a lovely silver and the cracks just added to the appeal. You can clean any marks with oxalic acid wash, I did this then gave a coat of Danish oil, came up a treat. But oak will crack....

 

[ED65]

...it appears that linseed oil is not suitable for exterior woodwork

Linseed oil has been used for centuries on exterior woodwork and is still used in some parts (raw linseed oil is one of the things that gives that characteristic orange-yellow colour to log cabins in North America).

Linseed won't do much or anything to prevent cracks forming however.

 

[johnnyb]

Ditto the cracks but a good finish is 1/3 linseed oil boiled1/3 pine tar1/3 white spirit.
Linseed oil can be mixed with Tung. Auson make a few varieties ( colours) of pine tar. Kiln burned is very dark imprex is light. Chinese wood oil is good for mixing.

 

[johnnyb]

Just to add i made a batch of pine tar soap when i first started playing with it! The smell was overpowering! To make soap you need kiln burned traditional tar. Any other variety is not ok. I'm guessing imprex might be the best to try as modern tastes don't like dark. But it's not light fast and will fade. Of course the victorian's added light fast pigment which rendered all old buildings black ( and white)
So called experts will suggest that vernacular buildings should be left to weather. Stockholm tar has been used to preserve stuff for many centuries though( ships rigging)
Btw Stockholm was the main port for export.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

raw linseed oil is one of the things that gives that characteristic orange-yellow colour to log cabins in North America.

Really? Every time I've left something that's been treated with it outside it's gone black.

 

[MikeG.]

..........So called experts will suggest that vernacular buildings should be left to weather. Stockholm tar has been used to preserve stuff for many centuries though( ships rigging) ........

Vernacular buildings should be left to weather. Or the timber should be limewashed along with the render. Whilst there may or may not be finishes (other than limewash) that might work, "vernacular" means done in the traditional local way.......which doesn't include using Stockholm tar in any locality in the UK that I am aware of.

 

[johnnyb]

I've no idea when Stockholm tar was first brought to this country but trade between Sweden and England must be one of the oldest trade routes known. The north of England was settled by people from the countries of origin of pine tar. Maybe south of the danelaw meant no tar. But the history of pine tar way predates the Victorian black and white chocolate box look.

 

[timber]

Thanks all for an interesting discussion.
I asked the question in the first place as technology advances quickly. So I thought there maybe a better solution than oil.
i:e rape seed was cattle feed !! -----now look at all it uses !!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

No one's mentioned rape oil.