Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Finishes on timbers

The last time this was somewhat addressed was regarding wood chunk floors. I'd like to test some finishes for timbers to get a feel for how they look and feel. I have some reclaim pine, reclaim Beech, and seasoned white oak beams. What are the typical options for a timberframe? I've heard of tung oil, danish oil, landark oil...what is practical - that you can get in sufficient quantity and cost for a frame? If I go to Lowes and purchase a small can of either for testing, is it going to be the same as what I would buy in bulk for a timberframe? What is the best source for the finish material when doing a frame? I'm assuming that I would need multiple 5 gallon containers? How much do you go through on a given timberframe? How many coats are preferred? Can I finish the timbers before the frame is assembled and raised so that I have better access to them on the ground? Just a few questions, I know...

I really enjoyed that a little while back Northern Hewer suggested putting absolutely nothing on your frame. Anyone have some tried and true experience that they would like to share?
My stick framed cabin, circa 1900-1920 has some unfinished Sitka spruce and western hemlock and it's beautiful. The floor was painted some ten years ago and I took the paint off with a heat gun. That original patina survived the heat gun and carbide scraper. That's durability.

Brad,

I recommend Landark and you can definitely apply it on the bench. It is great for keeping dirt and water and other stuff from soiling the timbers during the assembly and raising -- you just wet a rag or scotch brite pad with more landark and a little elbow grease restores the clean, oiled surface, rather than the wood being stained.

gabel

About 80 percent of our frames leave the shop unfinished. I guess I have come to the feeling that finishes take away from and hide the the natural beauty of the timber, an uneccesary layer hiding the truth of the material.

My thoughts are preserving the material color and preventing graying. I also would like to prevent splinters with children around.

Is Landark similar to the Livos products?
They all seem to contain linseed oil as a main ingredient.

Would Landark and Livos products be compatible with each other?
I have a can of Livos on hand for my new timberframe, but as far as I know it contains no mildewcides. The Landark is available with mildewcide and I'd like to use the two products in adjacent areas.