As you have a dog I would recommend considering an oiled finish, this will be far easier to maintain over time, oils soak into the wood surface and so is less likely to be effected by claw marks, and even if it is, you can simply patch repair and the oil will blend well. Oils are also easy to maintain as they wear, simply ensure the surface is clean and dry and then you are able to apply a top up coat when needed, usually around 1 or 2 years down the line, depending on use. Offers moderate shine and enhances the wood’s natural colour, making it more vibrant and attractive Having recently used Remmers Douglas Fir Oil on my garden furniture, I found it to be an excellent choice for protecting and preserving the wood. It’s an eco-friendly option with the EU Ecolabel award, and that’s important to me as I try to make more sustainable choices in my day-to-day life. Whether you want an easy to complete maintenance that needs regularly redoing or a more comprehensive one that you can apply and forget for a few years

An oil soaks into the surface of the wood and will wear away over time. A stain, paint or varnish is a surface sealer and over time could peel and flake, exposing bare wood underneath. Paint, stains or varnishes can be removed with a stripper such as Paint Panther Paint and Varnish Remover. Oils unfortunately can not and if you can’t wait for them to wear away naturally the you can use a pressure washer to remove much of it, care must be taken not to damage the wood however. It also brings out the natural shade of wood on various surfaces like fences, sheds, and hot tubs. While the RONSEAL Ultimate Natural 5L offers a “natural look,” the Liberon Clear Protection is specified as providing a “clear finish.” The choice between the two would depend on personal preferences regarding the desired appearance and the additional feature of UV protection provided by the Liberon oil. I am sorry for the delay in response, it is a super busy time here at Wood Finishes Direct. A stain or paint is a surface sealer and is likely to, over time, peel and flake, if the treatment appears to be lifting it is likely that this is the finish you have and this can be removed with a pressure washer or stripper product such as the Paint Panther Paint and Varnish Remover As I’ve discovered, some oils offer better water resistance, while others provide enhanced UV protection. The appearance of the finish, such as matte or glossy, is also worth considering when making my decision. Its a bit of a battle to maintain the natural colour of these types of woods I am afraid, they will just naturally silver and for many people this is the desired result. It is a balancing act to get the best for the wood, protection or colour.I recently used this Furniture Clinic Danish Oil on a vintage table I got from a charity shop, and I was thoroughly impressed with the results. The table had some wear and tear, but after applying the Danish Oil, its natural beauty shone through. The oil’s natural blend of oils and resins penetrated deep into the wood, creating a hard and durable satin finish. This period is often around 10 – 12 weeks and can allow the wood to start to silver some, it depends very much on the time of year and level of exposure to the wood. You may find that it this time of year you may get away with minimal fading as we go through the winter. And the wood may then be ready for application come the Spring.

And there wasn’t much love for the Ronseal Ultimate Protection which in Nigel’s experience only lasted 6 months, and others have said has a tint - a horrible yellow colour. And indeed it’s a fact that the Ronseal clear has a slight pigment in it, which gives it its UV protection What amazed me the most was the oil’s protective qualities. After treating the table, I noticed that water beaded up on the surface instead of soaking in, making it easy to clean and maintain. Plus, it worked wonderfully on both interior and exterior wood surfaces, giving it versatility and broad applicability.

A slight concern I had was the tendency of the product to clog when left in a spray applicator. However, with a bit of cleaning and attention, it can still be used effectively in this manner. Can reduce the visibility of the wood grain due to the pigmented film between the timber and the surface Also oiled finishes although dry and ready to use after 24 – 48 hours continue to cure and get more durable for days and weeks following application. Covering will prevent the natural curing process from occurring and this is one of the reasons we do not recommend putting rugs over and oiled floor for the first month. It would need a little bit of experimentation first to get the right result, it may be that you only require a very small amount of the coloured oil added to the clear, it is vital to thoroughly mix them together. So small ratio measures first and tests on your wood, until you get the desired result and then you are able to mix up a larger quantity in the same ratio to complete the project. This will help you to control the colour a bit more for getting the lighter result. However, it’s worth noting that the finish isn’t entirely clear, as it adds a slight brownish tint to the wood. While it didn’t bother me too much, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a completely transparent finish. Additionally, it requires fairly frequent reapplication, especially in high traffic areas or when exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Ahandytip before we get started is to keep an eye on the weather forecast as we are going to need a couple of clear days to get the project done properly trust me it’ll be worth it in the end. If you do find there is any fading of the wood, then you could look at using a reviver product such as the Osmo Wood Reviver Gel this can restore the natural tones of the wood. Always, stir the contents of the tin thoroughly, at least for a couple of minutes before applying. This ensures that colour pigments and other important ingredients of the product are well distributed and not concentrated at the bottom of the tin.Only apply in double figure temperatures and when the weather is set to be dry for at least the minimum drying time displayed on the tin. Single figure temperatures, damp or wet conditions could adversely affect the application and final finish of the product