how long does it take for BLO to dry?

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cujo	how long does it take for BLO to dry?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 309 (12/04/09 01:17 AM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hey All, I just de cosmolined my lee enfield stock and started to apply BLO to bring back some of the color from using thinner to clean the stock. So how long does it take to dry and how long should I wait in between coats? See I am just paranoid that this stuff will not dry. Right now there is just one coat on it, so any help would be great. Mike
eb in oregon		#1	[-]
Posts: 1094 (12/04/09 04:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	What I do. After the stock has been completely cleaned to satisfaction; Rub down with BLO, by hand, rubbing it in for several minutes. Let sit about 1/2 hour and wipe off excess with a soft, lint free rag. Set in the corner and leave for several days, but it helps if the room is rather warm, I'll set close to the old wood stove during the winter. When the stock feels dry to the touch, buff with a denim or burlap rag until your arm gets tired, or you get bored. Oil again and repeat until your happy with the finish. Buff again with the rag and call it good. A properly prepared and oiled stock will look like satin varnish with a good oil finish, just takes lots of time. eb "We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776
cujo		#2	[-]
Posts: 310 (12/04/09 02:47 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks for the info eb sounds pretty much like my game plan. In the winter my house is pretty warm and the coat I put on last night has since dried and has not been 24 hours so I will wait about a day in between. Mike
beanstrung		#3	[-]
Posts: 5787 (12/04/09 08:40 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	BLO doesn't "dry", it "cures" via an oxidation process. It needs a good supply of fresh-air to oxidize the oil, to make it harden. Warmth & sunlight help, too. Apply it ONE coat at a time, and allow each coat to fully "cure" before applying the next coat. In the winter months, cure-time may be as long as a week for each coat. If you build it up too thick, too fast, it will take "forever" to cure, or at least seem like it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand? Joel 3:9-10 Last Edited By: beanstrung 12/04/09 09:09 PM. Edited 4 times.
cujo		#4	[-]
Posts: 311 (12/04/09 10:12 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Ok Beanstrung got an idea how long it takes to cure. So it seems to need a little warmth and fresh air so I should be safe letting it cure in the house? Is there anything else I should avoid not doing? Thanks Bean. Mike
wworker		#5	[-]
Posts: 3778 (12/26/09 07:16 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Things to avoid: Don't let the BLO sit on the stock wet too long or it will become tacky. A half hour is good, then wipe off the excess. Don't ball up your rags that you use to wipe off the excess BLO, but lay them out flat to dry. Balled up rags with BLO generate heat and could combust.
Cabinetman		#6	[-]
Posts: 5405 (12/29/09 09:47 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You guys bring a tear to this 'ol cabinetmaker because your advice is spot on! Rome A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.
cujo		#7	[-]
Posts: 401 (12/30/09 09:03 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well the BLO turned out very well indeed. After wards I used the spit coat of shellac technique to a very good effect. Using oiled steel wool the wood still has character, but looks like a nice satin hand rubbed finish. Thanks guys, Mike