How to Refinish a Tabletop With Linseed Oil

Cleaning

• 1

  Combine 4 tablespoons of boiled linseed oil with 2 tablespoons of the gum turpentine in a plastic bucket that holds 1 gallon of hot water. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the hot water.

• 2

  Dip a soft cloth into the hot water washing mixture. Wring any excess liquid from the cloth.

• 3

  Wash the tabletop in short, linear strokes. Remove all excess dirt, wax and other buildup from the surface. The tabletop may require several washings to remove a heavy buildup.

• 4

  Allow the tabletop to dry before polishing. The washing formula actually begins to apply a linseed oil finish to the tabletop's surface.

Polish

• 5

  Blend 1/4 cup gum turpentine with 3/4 cup linseed oil in a glass jar. Seal the jar and shake it.

• 6

  Fill the tin can one-third full of hot water. Pour some of the mixture on top of the hot water in the tin can. In most cases, 1/3 cup of the linseed/turpentine mixture will suffice.

• 7

  Dip the pad of steel wool into the mixture.

• 8

  Rub the tabletop with the steel wool. Work the surface with the grain of the wood. You may wish to polish small areas of the tabletop at one time.

• 9

  Buff the steel wool–worked areas with a dry soft cloth. Bring the wood to a soft luster.