Choochoo Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Hi everyoneI have just replaced an oak beam at the front of our house, over the front door and front window. Can anybody recommend what to finish it with to make it look less "new " and fit in with rest of the front aspect.Also, the internal beams are in a brown matt finish and I have to replace one of those. What sort of finish did they usually apply to these ? they are in chestnut.Thanks to all who reply John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilly Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 We have recently done the same thing, I would let the exterior beam weather a bit first, if its oak it will tone down quite quickly because of the natural tannins, then we have used an exterior grade oil available from good wood supplers this leaves a natural finish and will protect from the weather. As for the internal beam try on a spare bit the same oil as it has a slight colour you may find this is enough if not a light oak wood stain should do it depending on how dark the others are followed by the oil 2-3 coats .good luckLilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 John, do nothing to it. Just let mother nature do her work. I'm not a fan of the hard lines or saw marks of structural sawn green Oak and tend to 'work' green Oak to blend it in to a renovation situation using a variety of tools and techniques. If the work is more formal, a door or window for instance where appearance does matter then a good quality lasure or some of the Sikkens products work well. They contain fungicides and anti UV agents which go a long way to retaining the desired finish, the lasure is also oil based which helps to restrict the rapid evacuation of moisture from timber in warm conditions and hence slows the drying process, quite important if windows or doors are to be fitted to the frame, but that all depends on the original moisture content of the Oak and all sorts of other stuff that could become very boring so I aint going there!I'll get some pictures together and try and demonstrate what I'm talking about in the next day or two.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montagrier Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 take a small piece of oak that didn't get used.... mix some lime and water to a thick paste and paint it on the oak with a brush, the oak will age in front of you.... the longer you leave the lime on the darker it will become.Be ready with water to wash off as soon as you get the colour you want... time everything and then do it on the real thing...monti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Green Oak does't darken with age, it becomes silvery grey. I know of the lime paste mix, it reacts with the tannic acids and gives a unique patina, I find it lovely but it's not natural which I think what John wanted. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joidevie Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 I've found some of the ready made coloured waxes ( in tins ) to begood, with good coverage too. Many tints and pretty convincing. Applywith a thick, quite heavy paint brush - preferably in warm weather asthe wax spreads and penetrates much more easily... I thinks you mightbe quite impressed with the results ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choochoo Posted July 9, 2006 Author Share Posted July 9, 2006 Thanks everyone for your tips. I have an off cut of the beam and will try them all on different bits of it and see which I like best.Thanks againJohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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