For a more durable finish, particularly on horizontal surfaces, use Danish or Teak Oil. You can apply Briwax Spirit-based dye first, to give you the colour you want.

Spirit-based dyes give a very intense and long-lasting colour deep inside the wood. Unlike many other finishes such as wood stains, Briwax Spirit-based dyes are not a finish in themselves. This means that you can get exactly the colour you want, and then protect it with oil as a final step.

You can mix the spirit-based dyes to achieve almost any colour. Even if you've already applied some dye, you can apply another colour and they will mix together. Briwax spirit-based dyes are based on methylated spirits, so you can lighten the colour by adding methylated spirits. Because they are a dye, not a stain, Briwax Spirit-based dyes don't create ‘tide-marks’ when they dry. You can wipe over the existing dyed area with more dye, and you won't be able to see the join.

Applying Briwax Danish OilOnce you're happy with the colour, protect it with one or two coats of Briwax Danish Oil or Briwax Teak Oil. Danish Oil has a matt/satin finish, and Teak Oil gives a gloss finish. Sand between coats with very fine sandpaper or 0000 steel wool. See the section on finishing floors with Danish Oil above for more details.

For table and bench tops, use three or four coats of Danish Oil. If the surface is well sanded and carefully finished, we've found that Danish Oil is resistant even to hot water. Many of our clients have finished commercial bar tops with Danish Oil. However, we wouldn't suggest using Danish Oil where the surface is likely to be used for cutting; sharp knives can cut through the surface into the wood, which will allow water to get into the wood at a later stage and damage the finish.

One of the biggest advantages of Danish Oil is that it's very easy to repair the surface if it gets damaged. Wipe down the surfact with mineral turpentine and 0000 grade steel wool, and apply one more coat with a cloth. Once dry, the surface will be good as new. If the surface is more seriously damaged, sand it lightly first and apply one or two coats of Danish Oil.

Once you've finished your furniture with Danish Oil, you can create a deeper sheen on surfaces that aren't likely to get wet by applying a coat of clear Briwax Original Wax over the top. The two different finishes create a beautiful depth to the shine.