Michael Dutton of The Tsarina Imperial Dacha Company in Scotland has provided us with a recipe for colouring, preserving and giving a hard finish to the exterior surface of your logs.
It can also be used on garden furniture to add colour, or by changing quantities it can also be used as an internal wall surface finish or hard floor finish. This is a 100% natural ingredient finish, and can be buffed to give a gentle glowing shine or by amending wax quantities can give a deep glowing shine. Varying the recipe can also allow you to use it on internal furniture for hard wearing surface with a deep shine.
1. 2 Liters Mix
Colour = Redwood Brown
Ingredients;
500 grams Raw Linseed Oil
200 grams Gum Turpentine (The real stuff, not substitute)
30 grams Burnt Sienna Pigment
30 Grams Vienna Red Pigment
6 Grams Burnt Umber Pigment
60 Grams Beeswax
30 Grams Carnauba Wax
Other pigments can be used to obtain different colours, or vary the quantities of the above to change shades.
Method;
Place wax in a plastic jug then either microwave for 3 minutes (sometimes a little to longer) or place jug in another container containing boiling water to melt the wax. Once melted add the Gum Turpentine only. Mix the pigments into the Linseed oil (Better to put in a plastic bottle, close lid and shake vigorously to mix).
Pour the wax and turpentine mix into a clean bottle (recycle your 2 liter Coke and Fizzy Drink Bottles) then pour the Linseed Oil and Pigment mix into the same bottle. Close the lid, shake vigorously then open lid to relieve any pressure build up. Close lid and leave to stand overnight.
Application;
Shake bottle and pour into a receptacle. Paint onto logs like normal paint. Warming the mix first for a few minutes in the microwave will also allow it spread further and penetrate deeper. Depending on your climatic conditions the mix may take up to a week to dry and harden properly, but the finish is well worth it. Great for outdoor garden furniture protection against the elements.
For internal floors and internal walls and decking the following mix can be used for a hard wearing finish that can also be buffed to create a great shine (Pigment can be added if required);
2 Liters Mix
500 grams Raw Linseed Oil
200 grams Gum Turpentine
60 grams Beeswax
120 grams Carnauba Wax (Adding more of this wax will give a harder finish)
Mix and apply as per previous recipe. Buffing is a must if used on floor as this will spread the wax more evenly, however please note that the more carnauba wax you add the more buffing you have to do as it is a very hard wax when dry, but the results are excellent. Carnauba wax also has anti-slip properties, so great for floors.
I Hope you enjoy this recipe and find it of use to preserving your Log Home or other timber product.
Michael Dutton
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi. What can be replaced by carnauba wax, I think in russia such’t find
I have tried to find the wood preservative article using linseed oil and turpentine but can only find the one with colorant. I saw that article a couple of days ago. How can I get back to it. I need the recipe.
Thanks so much. Anna Allen
Hello Anna — There are two other very informative articles written by Michael Dutton that will probably interest you– Traditional Log Cabin and Timber Preservation Practices of Michael Dutton and the other is Finish Treatment of Timber Using Natural Preservative: Michael Dutton. I hope that this helps!
Do you have a wood preservative recipe based on copper?
Shall be gratefull to know.
Regards
Ngetich
Dear David
Yes i do, but i would not use it or pass it on to others due to the nature of the material and the toxins that it can produce during its in life service. My business only uses and promotes totally natural and non toxic preservatives which are both sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Regards
Michael
I have personally communicated with Michael Dutton and he is a real professional when it comes to log constuction, treatment and natural preservatives. Not to mention the fact he is always anxious to help with your questions and concerns. I am restoring an 1800′s hand hewn log house and Michael has been very helpful in assisting me to insure that my restoration is correct and will have long term benefits and performance. You can count on Michael when it comes to log home questions.
Hey Mike — Yes — Michael Dutton is a stand up guy and an absolute professional. — Im glad that you were able to connect with him