Looking for a replacement for Watco

[keystonecop]

I have used Watco Natural Danish Oil for years and like the way that the wood turns out. BUT over the last couple of years I have noticed I cannot get rid of the SMELL. Maybe it just my nose getting older, or did it change?

When minwax made it.. the smell would leave in less than a week. With the rustoleum version, the smell seems to last for years.

I use 3/4 Hardwoods. Cheery Black Walnut..etc.

Thanks IN ADVANCE for the Suggestions.

[Mick Walker]

John, I have always had good luck with Formbys tung oil finish. Can be wiped or brushed on. Comes in satin or gloss.

[wood-n-things]

John,
I cut my watco with mineral spirits. it seems to dry faster, penetrate better, and smell for a shorter period of time. I use about 70-30 mix...sometimes more if I sneeze when pouring...LOL

[pat c]

I just started using boiled linseed oil, dries fast and brings out the grain of whatever wood it's put on, doesn't add any color though. I haven't noticed any smell at all. Pat

[keystonecop]

I will try the boiled linseed oil and the Formby's tung oil when I get a chance. I have some flat work to do and the wipe on should work nice.

I had some odorless mineral spirits and tried it. I usually pour the Watco back into the can when I am done. Well this time the 2 items I am finishing would fit into a one gallon zip lock bag. (I read about that years ago.. wow EASY to fill all the fret holes. and easy cleanup. Need to find a glass jar to store it in, unless someone tells me otherwise. The Pieces dried much faster (and it is raining here in sunny California). I will let you know what my sniffer says in a few days.

Thanks again......

[wood-n-things]

I save mine in a glass jar and place some saran wrap over the top prior to screwing on the lid-- just in case...Give it a quick shake when you use it next time...Works for me.

[lucky788scroller]

I havent noticed any smell change in Watco danish oil over the years.I always give it at least 24 hours to cure before I start spraying on my clear coats of Deft over it. I dont care for the smell of BLO, but the Danish oil I dont mind at all, and, oddly enough, to me the odorless mineral spirits smell worse to me than the regular mineral spirits????? (guess thats what I get for growing up eating lead paint chips huh?)

[core-eagle]

I use Duraseal by minwax. This what I use when I stain or coat floors, so it gets all my woodwork projects. Usually use neutral or sometimes Golden Pecan to just give it a hint of color. I have used this for over 25 years. For finish I tend to use Deft spray or brush on depending on project.

TimB

[miniwoodworker]

Originally Posted by keystonecop

I usually pour the Watco back into the can when I am done.

Uhmmmmm, just wondering....

When I pour out some finish, stain, solvent, glue, etc. I don't return the unused portion to the original container. If the unused portion is small, I dispose of it. A material amount of leftover goes into a labeled glass jar. (Glass because it's non-reactive.)

The reason for this is because the item can become contaminated from many different sources while it's in use.

-- residue left in brushes, including cleaning products.

-- residue left if a plastic container or a disposable aluminum pan reacts with a solvent in the product I'm using.

-- possibility of different manufacturer's products not being compatible ie mixtures of stains or paints and top coat.

Anyway, is it possible there's a contaminate of some kind causing the problem? Again, just wondering.....

Hope this helps.

[keystonecop]

Lee in NC

You are probably right.. thinking back, this started when I started buying the Watco in gallon sizes. When I used the small cans..I would finish up one can before using another. less contamination.



Thanks for all the replies.....