Finest Quality Danish Oil with EXTRA UV PROTECTION
Our Finest Quality Bestwood Danish Oil is made using the best quality Pure Tung Oil, with no artificial varnish or resins. It is naturally microporous, letting wood ‘breathe’.
We have often been asked if we can make an enhanced exterior ‘UV’ version of our Danish Oil. Following extensive research and testing to find the best UV absorbers, we now have a high performance product available.
Over time, and left untreated, most wood will naturally turn ‘grey’ due to the effect of ultraviolet light on the surface layers of the cells of the wood. Oiling the wood regularly will slow this process and ‘feed’ the wood preventing it from drying out and cracking.
For even more exterior protection there are UV absorbing additives which can be added to wood treatments to make then more effective for exterior use. These products are of two types, and we use both to give added protection to our ‘UV’ Danish Oil.
- The first type of additive is the ‘UV absorber’. These compounds absorb harmful ultraviolet light wavelengths and emit them harmlessly in the infrared range as heat.
- The action of ultraviolet light on surfaces can produce chemically harmful free radicals which build up over time and cause degredation of the coating and the wood. The second type of compound, ‘free radical scavengers’ neutralise these free radicals before they can do harm.
Our Exterior Danish Oil UV also contains active ingredients specifically designed to give extra protection to exterior wood from mould, algae and fungi.
Exterior Surface Preparation
Extra care needs to be taken with exterior surfaces before oiling to make sure they are clean and free of any mould, dirt, dust, grime etc. Aged or ‘grey’ timber should be sanded black to clean ‘bright’ wood to remove all loose layers of cells which have been damaged through weathering. Previously painted or varnished surfaces should be stripped back to bare wood and lightly sanded.
Danish Oil is not a wood preservative. Oak and softwoods can be prone to weather staining due to the growth in damp conditions of mould spores naturally present in the bare wood before oiling. Use of treated timber, or a proprietary wood preservative, before oiling is good practice. Make sure the presevative is completely dry before proceeding. Exposed locations, end grain and areas close to the ground or ‘splash’ areas may need extra coats to make sure the wood is thoroughly sealed by the oil. These areas may need more regular maintenance to ensure continued protection. Wherever possible wood should be sited or designed to ‘shed’ standing water. Danish Oil UV is not suitable for wood immersed in water.
The moisture content of wood should be less than 20%.
Application
Appy Danish Oil UV with a clean lint-free cloth in the same manner as standard Danish Oil, working well into the wood and finishing in the direction of the grain.
Work well into joints (a small paintbrush or artists brush can ofter help here with application, and removal of excess oil) and pay particular attention to the tops and bottoms of doors, undersides of cills, horizontal surfaces, exposed end grain, and any other areas where water is likely to be absorbed or enter through capillary action. If there is any grain raising lightly sand after the first coat if required.
Leave 20-30 minutes then wipe any excess oil from the surface to avoid surface build-up and gummy residues.
For best results on new wood four coats are recommended. In particularly exposed areas more coats may be required.
To avoid the possibility of water spotting or surface ‘bloom’, and to ensure proper performance from the UV Danish Oil, it should not be applied during damp or cold weather, and should be kept free of condensation or rain for at least 48 hours after application.
Maintenance.
Danish Oil UV should be reapplied regularly (twice a year is recommended, more in exposed areas) to prevent the wood drying out and maintain maximum protection.