Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:22pm

What do you recommend for preserving and treating a mahogany cratch. Would like to use oil for ease of application. What do you think?

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:31pm

Phil Speight replies: Certainly a Scandinavian oil both for ease of application and simple maintenance. There is always the old-fashioned way of course. Strip the wood completely with a cabinet scraper (or the edge of a welding glass) then apply a coat of 10% varnish 90% pure turpentine. Then successive coats containing less turpentine and more varnish, 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, 80/20. Then use pure turps to clean any residue that may have accumulated and apply a final coat (or two) of pure varnish. Long-winded, out of date, fiddly, unnecessary etc - but a brilliant deep, rich and glossy finish. Ah, them was the days...

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:46pm

Thanks very much for your prompt info. I have managed to purchase some Danish Oil from Wilkinson's and will try this asap. Jeanie