woodworkershaven
Published on Mar 10, 2023
Eucalyptus is one of the most popular outdoor Furniture woods for its beauty. It’s also common in construction projects due to its strength and durability. Unfortunately, the wood’s natural water resistance makes it extremely difficult to stain. It repels stains as it does water, often leading to poor adhesion and low-quality finishes. So, today, we want to find out more information about staining eucalyptus wood and the best stains for a eucalyptus woodworking project. Staining Eucalyptus Wood The best way to stain eucalyptus wood is using a light-colored gel stain and a 2-4-inch natural bristled paintbrush. First, apply the stain along the wood grain, wait for 4-6 minutes, then use rags to wipe the excess stain. After that, wait four hours for the gel to dry completely. Can You Stain Eucalyptus Wood? Yes, you can stain eucalyptus wood. But, no, you cannot stain eucalyptus with typical wood staining products. The main reason is that eucalyptus contains a high level of resins, making the wood extremely difficult to stain, especially with water-based stains. In addition, the resins block wood stains from penetrating the eucalyptus wood grain. As a result, most woodworkers prefer color-adding oil finishes to traditional wood stains when working on eucalyptus projects. What Happens if You Don’t Stain Eucalyptus Wood Outdoor Furniture? All hardwoods have living, natural fibers which gradually transform due to weather and everyday use. For instance, the wood’s fibers begin to shrink and even change color as it dries. Treating the wood slows the aging process, leaving wooden Furniture and other woodworking products looking fresh and “revived.” In addition, regular treatment with penetrating stains rejuvenates the wood’s grains, restores the wood’s natural color, and minimizes aging effects, such as warping and shrinking. What’s the Best Stain for Eucalyptus Outdoor Furniture? The best stains for eucalyptus wood outdoor Furniture projects, including eucalyptus patio furniture and benches, are linseed oil and Danish oil. Linseed oil Linseed oils are natural oils extracted from flax seeds and designed to protect wooden boards from scrapes, rot, and humidity. In addition, the oil works by deepening the natural color of wood without sunlight. You have two choices – raw linseed oil and boiled linseed oil. Both work well. However, boiled linseed oil dries much faster. Danish oil Danish oil works slightly differently. It’s a mixture of linseed oil (or sometimes tung oil) and varnish, thus adding a more stain-like color to the wood. Moreover, Danish oil is available in many tones, from mahogany to oak and cedar. Many people prefer Danish oil over linseed oil because it dries faster. In addition, Danish oil gives eucalyptus wood patio furniture a truly lustrous look. How to Restore Eucalyptus Furniture Requirements Teak oil
Sandpaper (120-grit and 150-grit) Microfiber cloth
Orbital sander How to Stain Eucalyptus Wood Furniture: Step-by-Step Guide Step 1: Sand the surface If working on old furniture, mount the 120-grit sandpaper to an orbital sander and power the machine to thoroughly sand the surface. Then put aside the orbital sander and continue sanding by hand using the 150-grit sandpaper. Meanwhile, meticulous hand-sanding using 150-grit sandpaper is enough for new furniture. Step 2: Clean the surface For small projects, you only need to wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth. However, consider teak cleaner for larger projects. First, apply the cleaner and allow it to settle for five minutes. Then scrub the surface in the grain direction using a scrub brush and rinse off the surface with a dry rag. After that, allow the surface to dry for 24 hours. Step 3: Apply teak oil There are many teak oils to consider. However, we prefer Teak Station Semko Teak Sealer, which enhances the wood’s beauty while protecting it from external elements. Rub a thin coat over the surface using the cloth and allow it to dry for 5-15 minutes. Then apply the second coat and allow it to dry overnight. You only need two coats. Can I Use Teak Oil on Eucalyptus Wood? Yes. You can treat outdoor eucalyptus furniture with teak oil annually to preserve the wood’s natural color and enhance its weather resistance properties. You may also want to know that teak oils are some of the most friendly finishes for hardwood furniture. Obtained from teak wood and often used on teak furniture, the oil boasts excellent penetration qualities, resists cracking, prevents...
