Spots after applying Linseed Oil to Red Cedar Mantel

[DHUNTER]

I put about 6 coats of linseed oil on this mantel I am making and these light colored spots have showed up.

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I get rid of them? 

I have put some additional coats on since they showed up but they are still there.

[DHUNTER]

Can't see them great here, but..

[DHUNTER]

[hackberry jake]

My guess is glue remnants that didn't get sanded down enough

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

+1 on glue spots

[WDH]

That is what it looks like to me, too. 

[beenthere]

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I get rid of them? 

Sand (or plane) the finish off and get just past whatever spilled on the surface... and I agree looks like glue.

[kderby]

Please let us know how this turns out.  Even if you opt to not "fix" the mantel. 

Juniper gets "dry" spots as part of the grain sucks up more finish than other spots.  I wondered if red cedar did the same.  It does look like glue but if it is not....I want to know what else it could be.

Thanks

Kderby

[WDH]

It looks to be a contaminant of some type that the oil cannot penetrate. 

[SwampDonkey]

Looks like glue. To help with penetration thin the linseed with turpentine for a couple coats first. Let sit a few minutes between coats and wipe down. You don't want the oil at any stage to pool, it will gum up over time. Sometimes it will back bleed out, wipe that to. Don't use the turpentine mix in the house unless you want to clear the sinuses. Let it dry good before bringing it in. ;D

[WDH]

Tung oil is applied mixed 50:50 with mineral spirits.  Mineral spirits are a little easier to work with than turpentine. 

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

If the spots were natural in the wood, they would not go across the glue line, but would stop at the line.  So, the fact that they continue across indicates something applied at or after gluing.  I agree that this looks exactly like excess glue was wiped off the piece.  It is better to let squeeze out harden and the scrape.  The glue can penetrate a 1/32", so sand it gently.  Heat in sanding will melt the glue and drive it deeper.  Scraping is often better than sanding at this point.

[DHUNTER]

I cleaned with mineral spirits before applying.  Would that do it?

Either way looks like I need to start over.

Thanks for the advice, I'm a rookie. 

[Bill Gaiche]

It does look like glue that caused the spots. I have had it happen to me also. Sometimes its not fun to correct things like that. Also silicone in either glue or oil will do that too. I have had to take lacquer thinner and remove all the poly and start over with some sanding first. bg

[Bill Gaiche]

ut ooh.

[WDH]

The glue will have to be sanded off. 

[LeeB]

I've never used linseed oil. Does it blend into each layer or does it require sanding between layers for adhesion? Is it posible to repair only the blotched area?

[5quarter]

Yup...definitely glue smear.if you can't run it through a wide drum or belt sander, use a hand held belt sander. do not try to sand the glue smear only or you will wind up with a noticeable depression. sand the whole top evenly and you should be fine. on a side note...nobody ever sees the top of a mantle, only the front edge and maybe the bottom.  ;)

[36 coupe]

I put about 6 coats of linseed oil on this mantel I am making and these light colored spots have showed up.

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I get rid of them? 

I have put some additional coats on since they showed up but they are still there.

There are much better finishes than linseed oil.I use it on end grain to prevent cracking as lumber dries.Beware of rags that have linseed oil on them.They can start a fire.

[Den Socling]

Very true about the fire hazard. A wad of linseed oil soaked rags can turn to flames in 3 hours.