Oiling

Finally - I could apply oil onto prepared mahogany.
This is an experiment - I want to evaluate Owatrol on mahogany in Swedish climate. Glypto, being an old and small dinghy, is an excellent testing object. If all works as advertised I will consider this method instead of traditional varnish on Meritaten.

We start with Owatrol D1 - soaking wood until it stops accepting any more oil.

Application with brush, wet-on-wet.
The weather was perfect - sunny and warm - so it became family event.

We applied generous amount of oil on each run. The wood was thirsty and Owatrol is very thin. Application is very easy and pleasant - when mahogany colour comes back to life.

After each pass I went again around the boat, brushing all planks so that oil is equally spread on all surfaces. Then there was a pause for 20-30 minutes, to allow the oil to soak deep into planks.

At 4th layer we could see that the wood is finally saturated. I spread the remaining oil with wet brush and stand back to enjoy the view.

It was very satisfying and easy job. I’ll wait for the proof that it holds long enough to substitute varnish. Surface preparation is no-work compared to varnish so even if oiling will require mid-season re-application it is no problem - it’s so easy and quick.

Boat was left to cure for few days. After that I will apply järnmönja on the bottom and Owatrol D2 on the topsides.
One can do with just D1, which will give satin finish but D2 should further protect the wood from weathering and give glossy, thick layer of varnish-like surface.

Good to see progress on Glypto. She is blocking my workshop from carpentry work needed for Meritaten so I need to finish her renovation as soon as possible.