Why linseed oil?

[TimothyB]

I was just considering.. why linseed oil? Why is linseed oil the universally used oil for boat stuff, old time paint, etc?

Is it that much more suitable than other plant oils?

I'll bet one of our historical types knows this answer smile.gif

--T

[Steve Paskey]

I don't know the answer, but I did find an interesting discussion of linseed oil impregnation on the web site of a fellow from Finland:

www.puuvene.net/phuhta/artikkelit/linseed.html (http://www.puuvene.net/phuhta/artikkelit/linseed.html)

Be sure to visit his home page, as there's other interesting stuff relating to wooden boats, including a discussion of tar, and details regarding his renovation of a Finish fishing boat.

[ 12-06-2003, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: Steve Paskey ]

[Steve Paskey]

After poking around a bit online, I wonder whether it might have to do with the fact that linseed oil will "dry" at ordinary temperatures and change from a liquid to a solid. (Tung oil does the same thing.) This is part of the reason why linseed oil was historically used by artists for oil paints, and why both linseed oil and tung oil have been used as wood finishes.

[Bob Smalser]

Is it that much more suitable than other plant oils?
No...but it's by far the cheapest. Pressed flax seeds...flax being used to make linen and other purposes.

Tung and some others much better as a water-resistant finish...and they are great for a piece of furniture...but for a 40-foot vessel, you'd go broke quick.

[ 12-07-2003, 05:12 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Norske3]

The Chemist Forumite should know.....HELLO, Chemist.

[Dave Carnell]

Linseed oil may be a good "water-rersistant" finish, but almost 100 years ago Forest Products Laboratory found it was completely ineffective in reducing water absorption by wood. They were looking for treatments to stabilize the shape of wooden aircraft propellers. They have repeatedly confirmed the conclusion in repeated tests through 1986. Myths die hard.