Lemon Oil - how many coats?

[tekno.mage]

Having read Cornucopia's and various other people's recommendations of using Lemon Oil for finishing, I finally got around to getting some.

How many coats do people recommend using? So far I've put one coat on an apple pen pot I've made and am now leaving it the 24 hours to dry between coats. It's brought out the grain of the apple wood very nicely and seems to have enhanced the colour of the wood as well.

tekno.mage

 

[TobyB]

I have been very happy with one coat, then another 24 hours later ... and then perhaps a top-up wipe a week or so later ...

 

[tekno.mage]

Thanks, Toby I'll give that method a try.

tekno.mage.

 

[cornucopia]

lemon oil is a great natraul looking finish.. but it does have to be topped up.

I normally apply one coat then once my work has dried apply another finish which will not require toppping up.

If i keep a piece for myself i will apply two/three coats initially then about once a year apply a top up coat.

 

[Jenx]

Just started using 'Georges Oil' as I have been calling it ! .... :wink: 8)

And I really like the finish it imparts ... I used it on the 'first hollow form' effort, and also on this Sycamore Platter ...





I gave it 4 coats, left 24 hours between them, and it sucked it in really well... George advised at the time about re-coating every once in a while, which I'll do .... and Chas alsom mentioned about the carrier which is Naptha based, and needs using in a well ventilated area .
I personally can't abide the smell... :lol: :lol: ... but its does 'mature' into something not too unpleasant ! George said he likes it... but I find it somewhat 'earthy' in its aroma.
For a subtle, matt gentle sheen finish, its absolutely marvellous stuff, and I intend to try and use it as often as possible... its very very nice as a finish, as George foretold it would be.

 

[tekno.mage]

My apple pot got it's second coat today and is looking really nice.

Personally I like the smell of lemon oil - it reminds me of old fashioned floor polish - the smell of the long polished parquet floors in the corridors of schools and colleges in the 1970s when returning after the summer holidays. Also reminds me of a strict but helpful old janitor at college (I think it was his brown overalls that retained the small, not him) and his vast and fascinating cupboard full of serious cleaning equipment & it's shelves of neatly labelled jars of screws, nails, hinges and other interesting widgits!

tekno.mage