Timber finishes

[Matt Trav]

With my timber frame pavilion project I used a mixture of 50% raw linseed oil and 50% pure gum turpentine for the finish.  The first coat was put on as the timbers left the shop so some of them were stacked outside under a tarp for awhile.  The red oak absorbed it well but after a week or so the inside of some of the small surface checks got stained black by mildew as well as some black speckles on the sap wood.  So after assembly of the frame we sprayed a mix of bleach and water, as suggested somewhere on this forum, and got most of the mildew off.  Then we applied a second coat of the linseed mixture.  I like the way the mixture makes the red oak look, but are there any better mixtures or simple additives to keep the mildew from growing?  I understand that boiled linseed oil will not allow mildew to grow because it is made with petroleum products to thin it out, but I read somewhere that it doesn't protect the wood as well as raw linseed oil.  Has anyone used mixtures with tung oil or citrus extracts?  I like the idea of all natural ingredients.  I hope to construct a house frame someday and I would like to avoid using toxic chemicals if possible.     

[witterbound]

Matt, I'm using the same mix on my frame.  I got samples of the land ark stains.  They are very expensive, and I couldn't find a color that I liked on my pine.

[Matt Trav]

Thanks witterbound,  my next project will probably be a white pine frame.  How does it look on the pine?  From your pictures it looks like you are able to keep the timbers inside the barn, so imagine you don't have any problems with mildew.  If I ever get my hands on some other home-aid mixtures I will have to post pictures of how it looks.  I wonder if there are any good books on making oil based wood stains out there.

[witterbound]

It looks fine on the pine, so far.  We used it when we planed the timbers.  A little before hand planing make it easier on the wood, the plane, and the planer  Then after planing, we added another coat.  I frankly can't tell whether it has darkened the timbers, or whether the sun has.  Many of my timbers are outside, either under a shed or a tarp.  We haven't had any problems with mold in quite a while, and I can't think of any mold or funny growth that has been caused by the raw linseed oil.  I don't know of any books that are helpful.  I read the linseed oil comments on the timber frame forum, but I couldn't find any consensus there.  I'll post more pictures of my frame as time goes by, so you can see what it looks like.