b-rad, Is this structure your building a living space or out building? If its an out building, rough. If it is a home and a living space, sand. I like the look of the saw marks so a light sanding to ease the roughness, I have to tell the guys on the shop floor to sand less, they for some reason want to take it all they way to clean wood. If I wanted clean wood I would of planed the timbers. As for oils and such I think they are a pain in the neck, and don't use any thing. If the client wants it oiled or whatever, they do it or pay someone else. There is also the issue of how does the timber breath with it covered in oil. And in those high traffic areas where dirty hand often grab hold, Natrual Patina, even in your absence your still there. Everyone has their own view points, this is just a snippit of mine. Not right, or wrong just different. By the way Natrual Patina does not come in a can, China can't coppy it, and you can't find it on e-bay, and it is a time consuming application, you won't see the effects right away. Tim
