A Guide To Finishing your Oak Fire Surround And Other Solid Oak Products

Oil, Wax, Medium or Dark Oak stain which one is right for you?

Reaching the finish line.

The finish on an oak product whether it be a fireplace or oak mantel shelf can dictate how it will look and feel. Different finishes can install different characteristics into your product some can darken it down; as others can leave it with a natural light appearance whilst giving it a glossy shine.

There are a range of finishes that are compatible with different types of wood, giving you the choice when it comes to the final appearance on your solid oak product. Some finishes are applied in different ways from others. Some require the use of a spraying tool and compressed air such as lacquer. Not all finishing techniques require you to have a surplus of equipment some of the best finishes can be applied with the use of a household polishing rag.

Danish Oil

An easily applied, stylish finish, Danish Oil adds a satin matt appearance to the wood as well as acts as a primer. Danish oil requires little pre-preparation of the wood, as long as it is free of marks and dust, the oil will penetrate into the timber effectively. Oil is a versatile method of finishing your product as it can be put onto doors, floors, cabinets and any other wood product allowing the customer to match any existing furniture they may have.

Danish Oil is applied easily by the use of a rag. Dip the rag into the oil until it is saturated. Wipe the rag over the product taking care not to miss any areas of the timber, leave the coat for around 2-3 minutes before using a dry clean rag to wipe off any excess patches of oil. An application of 2-3 coats is recommended, this will ensure that the finish will have an even feel and consistent colour, which are desirable traits on a products such as oak fireplaces.

If you prefer the natural look and style of your timber and do not want a coloured stain but do want a clean, smooth, sheen finish, then bee’s wax is the perfect solution. Applying bee’s wax can be done in a similar way to Danish Oil. Gather the wax onto a polishing rag and wipe onto the product evenly. After the wax has been applied to the desired area leave for 2-3 seconds, then using a clean rag buffer any excess wax until the surface is smooth. It is recommended to apply this process to small areas at a time until you have covered your desired area. Leaving excess wax on the surface can cause a tacky finish. Pre-preparation of the timber is again an important part of the final finish. Similar to the preparation work with Danish oil the timber you are working on must be free from any dirt or marks that will prevent the wax from achieving a full coat. To improve the finish 2 to 3 coats can be added. Bee’s wax can also be applied to Pine and other similar woods by using the same method mentioned above.

Medium Oak Stain

Medium oak stain is achieved by using a combination of Antique Water stain and Danish oil, gifting the object a burgundy antique finish. To prepare the surround it is advisable that you clear the surface of any dust or marks that may stop the timber from absorbing the stain, similar to the process mentioned for Oil and Wax. The timber will turn to a matt, light brown colour when the stain has dried; this can take up to 10-15 minutes depending upon room temperature. Once the Antique stain has had time to dry, Danish Oil is then applied in the same method mentioned above to give the surround its darker antique finish. Additional coats of Danish oil can then be applied to maintain the surrounds quality finish.

Dark Oak Stain

Dark oak stain lends itself to a more gothic style. A dark oak finish is achieved in the same way as Medium Oak as it also has a final layer of Danish Oil applied to give the surround a polished matt finish. To prepare the object it is again advisable to clear the surface you are staining of any dust or marks this is to ensure that the finish is as consistent as possible, allowing the stain to penetrate into the object more thoroughly. Dark stain will take around 10-15 minutes to dry before Danish oil can be applied. Applying 2-3 coats of Danish oil will leave your surround with a finish to be proud of. It is recommended that you annually coat your  oak fire surround in Danish oil as this will ensure that your object will retain its finished colour.

Timber can be altered to different specifications and preferred styles by using different finishing techniques. Stains and Oils can change the way a piece of timber looks, feels and weathers, for example garden furniture may require further solutions to protect it from water and other weathering elements. It is important to choose the finish that matches your ideal tastes and purpose whether you are looking for a lighter color with a sheen finish or a matt appearance with a darker colour, by using different stains and techniques you can drastically alter your desired final appearance.

For more information about our range of Solid oak fire surrounds, oak mantel shelves, and oak mirrors take a look at https://fireplace.co.uk/