• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Canadian Woodworking

Canadian Woodworking

Resource for Canadian woodworkers

  • Project Plans
    • Furniture/Cabinetry
    • Shop
    • Jigs
    • Outdoor
    • Turning/Carving
    • Toys/Puzzles
    • Home Improvement
  • How To
    • Know Your Tools
    • Know Your Woods
    • Workshop Posters
    • Wood Finishing
    • Wood Joinery
    • Woodturning
    • Shop Safety
    • Home Improvement
    • Videos
      • Woodworking
      • Woodturning
      • Home Improvement
      • Tips/Techniques
      • Tools/Accessories
      • For Subscribers Only
  • What’s New
    • Woodworking News
    • Product Reviews
    • Top Ten Lists
    • Contests
    • Events
    • shopNEWS eNewsletter
      • Email signup
    • shopTools eNewsletter
      • FREE Sign Up
    • Small Shop Essentials
    • Tool of the Year Awards
  • Community
    • Forum
      • FREE Registration
    • Rob Brown’s blog
    • Reader photos
      • Share Your Photos
    • Courses
    • Clubs
    • Lumber Directory
    • Canadian Woodworkers Directory
  • Connect
    • Magazine
      • Current Issue
      • Free Digital Issue
      • Back Issues
      • Digital Library
      • Where to Buy
      • Custom Care
    • Our Writers
    • Sponsors
    • Contact us
    • Advertise with Us
  • Subscribe
    • New Subscription
    • Renew Subscription
    • Give a Gift
  • Log in
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Wood Finishing/Penetrating Oil Finishes

Penetrating Oil Finishes

Ease of application, lack of film build-up, a beautiful satin sheen, and no-fuss repair make these finishes ideal for projects that won’t be subject to a lot of heavy daily use.

Film finishes are great when you need maximum durability, such as on table tops, floors, handrails, cabinet doors and countertops. They offer the greatest resistance to abrasion, wear, water, water vapour and heat. They cure hard, which makes them very durable. But they can be somewhat challenging to apply, and difficult to repair. They also dry slowly, making the work surface susceptible to dust nibs.
 
For woodworking projects that don’t get a lot of daily wear and tear – picture frames, jewellery boxes, display cabinets, sculptures, turnings, trimwork and the like – penetrating oil finishes can be an excellent choice. They leave the wood looking natural, and do a good job of bringing out the detail in wood grain. As well, because these finishes don’t crack or peel they’re great for wooden objects that are in contact with food (such as cutting boards, salad bowls and kitchen utensils) and for toys that end up in children’s mouths.

Penetrating Oil Finishes
read more
Carl Duguay

By Carl Duguay on February 18, 2021

Last updated: March 3, 2021. Published on February 18, 2021

Get ShopNews

Woodworking Shop News

Receive our FREE weekly shopNEWS newsletter with the latest woodworking news, product reviews, free project plans, events, videos, and more. No spam, no annoying offers, and you can unsubscribe at any time. We do not share your email with anyone.

privacy policy

Thanks for signing up. You will receive a confirmation email from [email protected]

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

Footer

Magazine service

Go to Subscriber Service online or call toll-free 1-800-204-1773

Go to Subscriber Service online or call toll-free 1-800-204-1773 | Copyright ©2021 Inspiring Media Inc. | Log in

Keep In Touch

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Email signup
  • Email preferences
  • ShopTools e-newsletters
  • Share your photos
  • Woodworking Resource Guide
  • Workshop Posters