
About Danish Oil
- Indoor use only (not recommended for Floors)
- Stain, Seals, & Protects in one easy step
- Will not crack, chip, or peel
What is Danish oil used for?
About Danish Oil WATCO® Danish Oil is a unique blend of penetrating oil & varnish hardens in the wood, not on the wood. WATCO® Danish Oil penetrates deep into wood pores to protect from within and to enhance the natural look and feel of the wood. It creates the rich, warm glow of a traditional hand-rubbed finish.
What is Watco Danish oil?
Watco Danish Oil? Has anyone used Watco Danish Oil on their projects. I believe it is a oil/varnish blend of some sort, and I am attempting to use it on a maple with walnut trimmed desk I have just built. I have followed the directions on the can and I am not pleased with the results.
Can I use Watco to finish with oil?
About like putting kerosene on for a finish IMO. I've had better luck with Minwax Antique oil, or Deftoil, or Formby'y tung oil finish as far as building a finish with a degree of gloss. I generally am finishing over a dye and/or stain, so the sanding while oil is wet is not an option, maybe that is the trick to using watco.
What happens when you put Danish oil on wood?
By applying danish oil, the tone of the wood surface can change. It lows the sheen of the wood and darkens the color. So, make sure to test the wood with danish oil before directly heading into the application. Also, danish oil is not suitable for woods that are used for cutting. 5. Can Occur Sudden Ignition

Is Danish oil OK for exterior use?
Danish Oil can be used on both Hardwoods and Softwoods and can also be used on interior and exterior wood. However, we do recommend that for all exterior woods you use Teak Oil. We also don't recommend Danish Oil for chopping boards. If you're looking for this, use our Chopping Board Oil.
Can you use Watco Danish Oil on exterior wood?
Can You Use Danish Oil for Outdoor Furniture? Yes, you can use Danish oil on outdoor furniture. It is food, water, and alcohol-resistant, making it an excellent low-sheen finish for outdoor wooden furniture.
Is Watco Danish Oil waterproof?
Danish oil has great resistant to water and other liquids. Danish oil works as a waterproof coating on your woodwork. Danish oil is made because of the polymerization of small particles. So, it can give a strong surface after drying.
Is Watco Danish Oil UV resistant?
Yes, Danish oil protects wood from UV light. Liberon Superior Danish oil and Watco Danish oil have UV protection that helps to protect your outdoor furniture from UV light.
What's the best oil for outdoor furniture?
The best wood oils for outdoor furniture are teak, boiled linseed oil, and tung oil. These are all excellent at waterproofing the wood, protecting against UV damage, and making it look excellent.
Does Watco Danish Oil Harden?
DESCRIPTION AND USES . Watco® Danish Oil is a blend of penetrating oil & varnish that hardens in the wood, not on the wood surface.
Do I need polyurethane after Danish Oil?
Danish oil doesn't require sealing, but to give it extra hardness and durability, you can use any oil-based varnish, either resin or polyurethane, to seal it.
Should you sand between coats of Danish Oil?
Danish oil dries slowly, so wait overnight before recoating. And it goes on thin, so apply a minimum of three coats. You don't have to worry about brush marks, but you'll get an even smoother finish by lightly "wet" sanding between the second and third coats.
Can you put polyurethane over Watco Danish Oil?
In short; you CAN apply a lacquer or a polyurethane over a Danish oil. Just as you can over any Drying Oil. The key to success is to make sure the oil has fully dried first. This should make sense, because once dried, the oil has cured to a hard solid film surface, and stuff will now stick to it.
Does Danish Oil darken wood?
This wood finish is commonly used by woodworking professionals for application to bare wood or overtop an already-stained piece. Danish Oil will darken the wood slightly and can be combined with oil-based pigments to create wood stains.
What is the difference between linseed oil and Danish Oil?
Danish oil works best on new and untreated woods. Compared to linseed oil, it is more of a thin oil and varnish mixture with a faster drying time.
Is Danish Oil good for exterior oak?
As well as Oak, Danish Oil can be used on all types of wood including pine, beech, walnut. As our Danish Oil is completely non-toxic and food safe when dry, it can be used on any wood and in any environment, such as: Interior & Exterior Wood.
Can you use Danish Oil on pressure treated wood?
Finally, danish oil is another popular choice as it's simple to apply, dries quickly. And it can be used on almost every internal and external surface. It's important to state that most garden gates are made from hardwood, but if yours isn't or has been pressure treated, then oils shouldn't be used.
Do I need polyurethane after Danish Oil?
Danish oil doesn't require sealing, but to give it extra hardness and durability, you can use any oil-based varnish, either resin or polyurethane, to seal it.
How long does Danish Oil take to fully cure?
The surface is ready for use in 8-10 hours. If a topcoat such as a polyurethane is desired, allow Watco Danish Oil to dry 72 hours before application of the polyurethane. Apply fresh coats as needed to repair surface scratches and remove minor stains. Burnish affected area with fine steel wool or 220 grit sandpaper.
What does Danish Oil do to wood?
Uses. When applied in coats over wood, Danish oil cures to a hard satin finish that resists liquid well. As the finished coating is not glossy or slippery, it is a suitable finish for items such as food utensils or tool handles, giving some additional water resistance and also leaves a dark finish to the wood.
What is Danish oil?
It’s a hard-drying oil that polymerizes into a solid when dry.
How long does it take for a second coat of oil to dry?
When you’re ready to apply a second coat, apply it exactly as you did before, and let it dry for 20 minutes or so. Once it’s a bit tacky, remove the excess with a clean rag. Then let it dry overnight again (or longer). It's crucial that you make sure the oil is able to dry fully between coats.
Can you polish furniture with Danish oil?
The better you prepare the surface of the furniture you plan to polish, the more effective the Danish oil will be . Before applying the oil, sand the surface of the furniture until it's smooth to touch. Depending on the type of wood you're working with, you may need to do more heavy-duty sanding to smooth the surface.
Is Danish oil good for outdoor furniture?
Danish oil is water, food, and alcohol-resistant, making it a great low-sheen finish for your outdoor wooden furniture. Once it has dried, you can rest assured knowing it won’t ever flake, chip, peel, or crack. Dried Danish oil is also safe for food contact and completely odorless. In short, it protects your furniture from wear ...
Can Danish oil be used on unfinished wood?
If the wood is unfinished, it may soak up the first application of Danish oil very quickly. If that's the case, just keep applying the oil until it begins to collect on the surface.
Does Danish oil work on wood?
In short, it protects your furniture from wear and tear makes it look great all year round. Danish oil works best on hardwoods that haven’t already been treated with another sealant. If your furniture has already been finished with something else, the oil won’t be able to properly soak into the wood. If that’s the case for you, you may want ...
How long should UV Danish oil be kept out of the rain?
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.
What is Appy Danish oil UV?
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.
Can Danish oil UV be used on wood?
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%.
Does Danish oil UV protect 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.
Is Danish oil microporous?
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 ...
Can UV absorbing additives be added to wood?
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.
Is Danish oil a preservative?
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.
How many Coats of Danish Oil should you Use?
The number of coats you should apply depends on the type of wood you are going to use and the type of danish wood.
What is Danish oil?
When it comes to wood finishing, danish oil is one of the common wood finishing oil with lots of uses. Danish oil is made mainly by blending linseed oil, tung oil with mineral spirits. There are different types of danish oil from different manufacturers available in the market because there is no clear mixing ratio between those ingredients. So, you need to have good knowledge about the danish oil type you going to use for your next woodworking project.
Can you use Danish Oil on Pine?
Danish oil work perfectly on pine. Pinewood furniture, paneling, flooring, cabinetry, and framing are the common applications we use danish on as a pinewood finisher. It gives better durability with enhancing appearance.
Can you Wax Over Danish Oil?
Don’t use wax over danish oil. Wax doesn’t give any protection. It attracts dirt. Three coatings of danish oil are completely enough to protect the wood from any kind of external effects.
What is the best finish for wood?
Think of your wood contracts or expands because of any reason, the best finish you can go for that type of wood is danish oil. Danish oil has a unique stretching ability. The elasticity of danish oil doesn’t go even when it is fully cured and turned into a solid polymerized structure.
What is the best oil to use for wood finishing?
Some woods expand and contract under temperature fluctuations. For those woods, danish oil is the best finishing oil you can go with.
How long does it take for Danish oil to dry?
Danish oil has the ability to dry faster than many other finishing oils available in the market. The average time oil takes to dry is around 6 hours. But this time can vary drastically upon the environmental temperature and humidity.
About Exterior Wood Finish
WATCO® Exterior Wood is a unique penetrating oil that hardens in the wood, not on the wood. New, old, or pressure treated wood becomes water repellent, provides UV and mildew protection, and resists warping and swelling caused by changes in weather. Durable and easy to use, WATCO® Exterior Wood Finish is great for decks, siding, fences and more.
For Best Results
Flood surface and allow to penetrate for 30 minutes. Reapply, allowing an additional 15 minutes of penetration.
How to apply Danish oil?
How Is Danish Oil Applied. The first step is to make sure the wood is sanded nice and smooth. 220 grit is plenty smooth. Once all the sanding dust is removed, you can apply the finish. The first coat can go on with a rag if you want, but the raw wood will soak up quite a bit, so it’s a good idea to apply this coat with a brush.
What is Danish oil?
Danish oil is a popular wood finish, and it’s basically a mixture of an oil, a varnish, and a thinner. Together, these ingredients really do bring out the natural beauty of the wood, while providing more surface protection than plain oil finishes. Typically, boiled linseed oil or tung oil is used. These both are drying oils, and they darken ...
What oil is used to finish wood?
Oil finishes like tung oil and boiled linseed oil penetrate into the wood. They provide some protection as well as a rich, beautiful appearance.
Can you use regular linseed oil in a mixture?
For a simple mixture, using equal parts poly, boiled linseed oil, and mineral spirits (each a third), is all you need to do. Do not use regular linseed oil, it won’t dry well and makes the finish more difficult. Pour each ingredient into a glass jar and stir it well. Then it’s ready for use.
Does Danish oil have a thinner?
While the Danish Oil wiki page claims that most variations use polymerized linseed oil, and lack a thinner, everything I found online about making your own is a bit different, which I’ll lay out here.
Is Danish oil safe to use on toys?
And if you’re looking for a food safe version of Danish Oil, go with the Tried and True brand. They claim to follow FDA regs that makes it safe to use on kitchenware and toys.
Can you mix Danish oil with turpentine?
If you use turpentine, get the kind that is made from pine. This smells much better than other kinds of turpentine. When you mix your own Danish oil, do it in a glass jar with a metal lid. If you use a plastic container, oxygen can get into the mix and over time can ruin the finish.
How to get a nice finish on Watco?
Pick the spot, avoid short-cuts and let it mature and you got a nice finish. If you are a fast pace junkie, I would leave the can of Watco out of the shopping cart!
Why did Watco change their formulation?
Here in California, Watco Danish Oil changed their formulation back in the late '80s because of increasingly strict environment regulations. Their product was wonderful before they reformulated, and only so-so after - IMO.
What is waterlox wood finish?
Waterlox Original Wood Finish - Tung oil & phenolic resin interior varnish with exceptional durability (use to be marketed as a Gym Floor Finish). Rich amber color. Thinner than Behlen "RockHard" and can be brushed or wiped. Waterlox (.com) also has a few other finishes to choose from including a poly varnish.
What is the fourth coat of Danish oil?
Fourth Coat - A very light wipe of Danish Oil on a rag.
Does Sherwin Williams have varnish?
Gretchen, I called Sherwin Williams here locally. They did not have varnish and only carried polyurethane. I guess I will keep trying.
Can you wet sand red oak?
When finishing red oak, I like to wet sand that first coat also.
Can you use varinsh oil on a finish?
Yes, patience is a virtue in applying these finishes. But, using ANY varinsh-oil mixture, leaving a significant amount of residue after any application is pretty much a recipe for failure.
How long does it take for Watco Danish oil to dry?
In 8-10 hours, the surface will be ready to use. If a polyurethane coating is required, let Watco Danish Oil dry for 72 hours before applying the polyurethane. To repair surface scratches and eliminate small stains, apply new coatings as required.
What is the composition of Watco Danish Oil?
WATCO Danish Oil is a unique blend of penetrating oil & varnish hardens in the wood, not on the wood. Watco Danish Oil penetrates deep into wood pores to protect from within and to enhance the natural look and feel of the wood. It creates the rich, warm glow of a traditional hand-rubbed finish.
Is Watco Danish Oil a Good Choice?
Once fully cured, our Watco Danish Oil is totally non-toxic and suitable for children’s toys. This product, on the other hand, is not authorized for use on objects that will come into contact with food.
Is Danish oil long-lasting?
While Danish oil penetrates the wood grain, it dries to a thin, soft layer that is moisture resistant but not scratch resistant. Danish oil may need reapplication when used on floors or furniture, since the protective yet soft surface wears away more quickly than polyurethane.
What may I use as a topping for Danish oil?
Watco is just boiling linseed oil mixed with a tiny quantity of varnish. After that, apply two coats of an oil-based poly varnish. This finish will be more protective and long-lasting than Watco’s. On several memento boxes, I used Johnson’s Paste Wax over Watco Danish Oil.
Is Danish oil resistant to heat?
Oil from Denmark. Genuine Tung Oil is used in our Danish Oil to enhance water and heat resistance. It dries to a tough, water-repellent surface. On bare wood, three coats are usually applied as a full system to achieve a low sheen finish.
Is a single application of Danish oil sufficient?
Tonight, do one coat and be content with two. With things like “Danish oil,” two applications is usually sufficient. You’re mainly completing for appearances, and the difference between the second and third coats is typically minimal, if not non-existent.
