What is the difference between an oil (danish oil) and a varnish? What's the pros and cons.
2007-12-30 00:06:55 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Danish oil is a liquid oil that gives a very natural, rich, satin finish. It soaks into and lightly seals the wood.
Varnish is thick and dries hard, to form a very glossy protective layer over the wood.
2007-12-30 00:14:19 · answer #1 · answered by fresca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, not much different. You can use thinner in the varnish and get the same look as the Danish oil. I am assuming old fasioned varnish not a urethane. Danish oil is thinner and gives a less glossy finish vith the grain showing through. Varnish is usually applied thicker to give a higher gloss smoother finish. I have used both many times. I like McCloskey's Ultra Spar varnish. It can be thinned or used to get a very glossy finish which can also be buffed down to a semi-gloss.
2007-12-30 01:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by Charles C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oils are superior for sealing wood. They soak into the surface and saturate the first layer of cells. No water can penetrate. Actually, the Chinese first discovered this a long, long time ago and sealed the hulls of their wooden ships with tung oil.
On my woodwork I use tung oil rather than danish. I don't like all the added ingredients.
Varnish looks good as long as it doesn't get wet. Varnish, unlike oil, dries on the surface and will chip off. If you must use it, choose spar varnish.
Minwax makes a nice polyurethane with the stain built in if a color change is what you're after. Hope this helps.
2007-12-30 01:49:31 · answer #3 · answered by DIYpro 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Varnish will give the wood better protection. Danish oil is a mix of oil and varnish. It is easier to apply but it will not protect the wood as well. It all depends on the project and it's projected use. Personally I like the look and easy application of danish oil for most furniture projects. Varnish rules on my sailboat. The web page below gives more details.
2007-12-30 01:38:09 · answer #4 · answered by R P A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Danish Oil will soak into the wood a bit, if you let it sit and act as a preservative and protectant on its own. The Varnish protects the finish you put on the wood. Like a hardener for the top. They both work differently and both do the same, protect.
2007-12-30 00:16:52 · answer #5 · answered by Toffy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋