Is Danish Oil OK to use on a bookshelf?

[Chris Sheppard]

I've got some shelving to put up at home that eventually will be used for books but my worry is that some finishes might end up staining the books or even sticking to them over time.

 

I'll be using some generic softwood and in the past have used Danish Oil but never tried it with books on it.

 

Is it likely to be OK? I like how easy it is to apply as much as anything (not that am lazy or owt )

[se7enthdevil]

i put oak shelves in an alcove in my house and have heavy old encyclopedias on them and don't think there are any problems with the books sticking.

 

once the danish is nice and dry you shouldn't have any problems.

[Woodworks]

Yes Danish oil is perfect for bookshelves. Only hesitation is it is not the best finish on softwood IMO but just personal taste but it drys fine presuming the wood is completely dry.

[Chris Sheppard]

Cool, sounds like I'm worrying unecessarily then

 

It's nothing too fancy, some of it will be PSE and the actual boards are some of that furniture board made up of approx 50x18mm strips - it'll be dry, just not pretty

[dervishcarving]

better to worry when you didnt than the opposite. Danish should dry to a nice non-transfering finish. but if the wood isnt quite dry its gonna be a risk

[Gnome]

Making a bookcase/tv unit at the moment, the wood is leyland cypress about 1 1/2 inch thick been drying for about 3 months. Anything for this that will not transfer to books as above?

[Woodworks]

Making a bookcase/tv unit at the moment, the wood is leyland cypress about 1 1/2 inch thick been drying for about 3 months. Anything for this that will not transfer to books as above?

 

3 months unless in a kiln is not going to be dry. Usual guide for air drying is an inch a year ie a 1" takes a year and 2" two etc. Think this is for hardwood, softy may be quicker.

[se7enthdevil]

again, danish oil will most likely be fine but if you want to use that cypress when dry you will need to leave it another 6 months at least. it won't be dry after only 3 months.

[TGB]

No problem using the oil on shelving. Just make sure the oil has dried before loading with books.