Best oil / treatment for external oak lintel?

[sandspider]

Hi all

 

We have an oak beam (external) on our garage, and it's looking rather grey and pale and cracking. I'd like to give it a coat or three of oil or something to protect it. I've got teak oil and linseed oil - would either of these suit? Or is there something better by Osmo or whoever? I'll sand it back then apply something by brush I think...

 

Thanks.

[Paddy1000111]

Definitely go with osmo. It's expensive but you won't need much. It's UV resistant and you can touch it up down the road. 

 

Oak beams externally always go grey though. It's part of their character

[sandspider]

Thanks. I don't mind the grey, but there are cracks and it just looks dry and tired.

[trigger_andy]

Thanks. I don't mind the grey, but there are cracks and it just looks dry and tired.

As the oak seasons it’s gonna crack and look dry and tired, especially outside. Unless you constantly douse it in oil you’re not going to stop this process from happening, even then I doubt it will do much.

[Squaredy]

5 hours ago, sandspider said:

Thanks. I don't mind the grey, but there are cracks and it just looks dry and tired.

We were in Stratford-Upon-Avon at the weekend.  Many exposed beams on the old Oak frame houses, all grey cracked twisted, and four hundred years old.  Oiling is a good idea, but as others have said cracking and movement is all part of the deal.

[sandspider]

Cheers all. I don't mind how it looks, I just want it to last. But I guess even dry and cracked, it will outlast me! Will slosh some oil on if I get a chance.