treating slate?

[se7enthdevil]

hi all, just got a bit of reclaimed slate to use as a hearth that had loads of algae growing on it which i've cleaned as best i can and i'm looking to find what sort of (oil?) you put on it to darken it a bit. i'm assuming some sort of mineral oil to bring out the colour?

 

 

any help appreciated.

[TGB]

Or veg oil. But mineral won't attract insects. Where oil comes into contact with slate, there's two things to remember. Slate isn't porous & a little oil goes a long way.

Edited March 4, 2015 by TGB

[Macpherson]

Hi, tung oil has many uses other than wood related stuff, I don`t know if it would give the finish you desire but you`ve probably got some.

It was once the `varnish ` type finish seen as a protective coating on tools in the old days, used to prevent rust in storage , or putting a wet look on geological specimens or fossils and just generally sealing most surfaces from the atmosphere, just use it very thin as already said and rub off all excess vigorously and let dry as I`m sure you know, cheers.

[se7enthdevil]

used tung oil once and never touched it again...

 

the shiny varnished look wouldn't go with the interior of the house but thanks for suggesting.

[CJM]

I've use linseed oil on my slate hearth. The oil brings out the black it's not too shiney but its needs re apply every now and then.

 

Like your hearth mine was reclamed/found it took an age to get it clean.

 

I'm not saying this is the best stuff to use but it makes it look really nice i would prefer a more permanent solution though

[Macpherson]

Yep, I agree, I`ve got a lovely big slab of Caithness slate for a hearth which I leave naturally matt and simply clean it occasionally with hot soapy water, it looks great........but you did ask, cheers.

[niftysteve]

try linseed oil with a bit of white spirit added