I have 2 pine log rocking chairs that are beautiful. I want to keep them that way but do not want to darken the wood. I've had alot of advise, from tung oil to linseed oil etc. I want the finish to be water proof as well. thanks!
Thompsons water sealer in natural. It will not discolor the wood.
Hello ElvisDog, I’m Blake from The Home Depot. Your rocking chairs sound fantastic, and protecting the wood is a great way to make sure that they last for generations! There are lots of ways to go about protecting the surface; however most will change the color of the wood even if only slightly. Tung and linseed oil will waterproof the surface of the wood and help to protect it from rot; but oiling the wood will darken the grain of the wood, the amount of darkening will vary depending on the type of oil used. In order to keep your wood the same color I would suggest using a spray-on polyurethane top coat. If the chairs will be outside, or in direct sunlight you may want to choose a Spar Polyurethane, which is designed to resist the elements. These finishes are available in either high gloss or satin. High Gloss will make the wood look like it is wet and shiny. The satin will give the wood a more natural look, but will still give the wood a slightly more reflective finish than bare wood. Regardless of what finish you choose I would really suggest testing it on another piece of pine before you take the plunge and shoot both of the chairs. If you choose to spray the chairs with Polyurethane be sure to apply multiple thin coats, to avoid running. Good luck with your project ElvisDog, I hope the chairs last for generations to come! -Blake
I would definitely go with tung oil. It is very durable, waterproof and easy to apply. It just rubs on with a cloth. Low odor. dries quickly. About $7. a can. Enough for a couple of chairs. You can apply 3 or more coats if you wish. Wait for the proper dry time between coats. Each coat makes a more durable finish. I used Formby's tung oil over 25 years ago on an unfinished pine cabinet. I applied 2 or 3 coats. It has held up beautifully. I also used it on a refinished 100 year old+ oak buffet. The finish still looks like new and has remained waterproof for over 25 years.
