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Flexi-Rack Maintenance Question

Like myself, a number of members have built flexi-racks (wood shelves, all-thread, nuts, etc.)and have used a number of wood finishes. Like some, I applied Walnut Oil to preserve the wood.

After a number of months, the surface of my shelves feel gritty instead of smooth. I can't tell if this is due to dust adhering to the oil and hardening or if it's a natural result. It won't wipe off, so my inclination is to sand it with steel wool and then wipe it off. Then what? I know very little about wood finishing.

Any thoughts?
kennythekey

Showing 5 responses by kennythekey

kennythekey OP
571 posts
 
Thanks Schipo, I'll give that a try.
kennythekey OP
571 posts
 
No, I think I actually over-saturated the wood with the oil. I applied many coats, waiting a full day between each coat and I sanded before and between coats. It was very smooth when I was done but I noticed a few days later that there were a couple of spots where the oil percolated up into little dime-sized pools.

I'm going to try ammonia in a sample area, and if that doesn't work I'll sand.
kennythekey OP
571 posts
 
Thanks Bob!

I still think I just over did it with the oil because I've got 2" thick Northern Hard Maple butcher block that I received unfinished. It's good stuff...see my flexi-rack pic.

Someone told me that I might just try mineral spirits because that works on tongue oil buildup. We'll see. I'm more concerned about what to do afterwards because adding more oil seems like I'm asking for more trouble.
kennythekey OP
571 posts
 
Thanks John,

That's what that is!!! I tried wiping it off but it was too hardened. I experimented with one shelf using steel wool and that did the trick but I don't know if I should re-oil.

I talked to a wood guy and he recommended that I wait a couple of days to see if anything new resurfaces. If not, he thought I should seal the wood with a hard wax such as SC Johnson One Step Floor Wax.
kennythekey OP
571 posts
 
I agree. Thanks John.
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