Danish oil.

[Allan]

I bought some Blackfriars Danish oil for some external woodwork on my boat. I am waiting for the weather to warm up before I do the jobs. In the meantime I decided to use it on the shower grate. While I am very please with the result, I was surprised that it is not "oily" as I expected, it is very like varnish I had used before, just a little less viscous. Is this correct or is it just a cheap version? Should I be looking for a better quality product?
Allan

 

[Pasarell]

Blackfriar Danish Oil is about the highest quality there is. Proper Danish Oil is a thin penetrating varnish. It contains resin along with a blend of oils so it should form a film on the wood surface. There are lots of cheap alternatives on the market now that contain little or no resin so won't give as good a finish.
Not sure I would put Danish Oil on a shower grating though. Good quality Teak Oil is probably better (Blackfriar again) but it will need recoating regularly.

 

[Allan]

Many thanks. It appears to have done a good job on the grate, although it is a little shinier than I expected. I am now not sure what to use on the cockpit grating, rubbing strake and external hand rails, any suggestions? Some areas of the cockpit grating look shiny so may have had varnish or Danish oil on before. The rubbing strake I know has had nothing on it and the handrail look like they have had nothing but I think that is because the weather has got to them.
Allan

 

[Pasarell]

Personal preference I think. Many people leave teak to weather and go silver grey naturally. Only maintenance needed is a wash down to keep clean. Some people varnish but that is a long term commitment to a great deal of work. Halfway house is Teak Oil which keeps the wood a golden colour (provided it is done often enough) with only a moderate amount of work. This is my choice. If you go down the oil route make sure you use a good quality one. A lot of the cheap oils (and some not so cheap) are mainly white spirit with a little pigment added which does no good at all. If the wood has been varnished at some stage you will need to remove completely before oiling.