Why does Linseed oil make an ash shaft darker?

[simplythebest]

Been using linseed oil on ash shafts for ages, and they always seem to get darker. Why is that?

I presume most cuemakers would use linseed oil also. But the shaft of a new cue is very white with well defined grain. Is some other process done after applying oil to clean up the surface?

Thanks

[Wity]

It does darken it yeah but I think most folks like the darker more aged golden colour. Maple (bleached possibly) and perhaps some other non staining modern synthetic oil is the way to go for a whiter shaft.

[888]

i very like that color

[simplythebest]

imho the darker finish looks good on the older designs with just simple work, like the burwat champion etc.

With the newer, colourful designs with multiple splices, i prefer the white, well defined shaft.

Any idea what these synthetic oils are that would not darken the ash shaft?

[Wity]

To find the type of sealing oils that dont stain I reckon your best to join a woodworkers/ restorers forum and ask there There's quite a number of alternatives to linseed that will do the job with varying drying times both new products and traditionally used ones.

Try to get a few opinions though before you buy and try, dont just take the first reply you get as gospel. I posted on a yank pool forum to a guy asking how to seal a shaft suggesting he use linseed and was shot down in flames by a custom pool cue maker saying no way should it ever be used and to use sanding oil instead, but from what i've read about it it's not even a sealer as it's designed as a prepatory coating for painting! There again on that same forum from what i've seen they all sand their cues and think burnishing with a bit of leather will seal the shaft.

[Watford]

Are you using Raw linseed oil?
The boiled is really bad for darkening the shaft but back in the days when I had an ash cue raw linseed oil didn't make any massive difference!

[trevs1]

Either type of Linseed oil will darken a shaft, it's due to the oxidation process that the oil encourages in the timber when exposed to air.

Many natural organic oils will do the same.

[simplythebest]

Hi Trevor, can you pls suggest an oil that won't... unless its a trade secret

OT: and hows the cue coming along...

[ADR147]

as far as i know all finishes other than pure beeswax which is more of a sealant effect will darken the wood - but then the wood will get darker over time anyway so why worry?

[MikeWooldridge]

have you tried olive oil? i hear it's good for your health too

[888]

i heard using lemon or any favorite ''pledge'' when over prolonged use, it will darken the wood as the chemical will seep into the grains, if u sand with 1500 - 2000 grit of finest sandpaper or 0000-00000 grade steel wool before oil, leave over night and it will seep into the grains more faster and u will see the wood colors change immediately.

[888]

oh sorry, i will not reccomend those ''pledge'' because when over prolonged use, your cue in the way that will render it unplayable. ''sticky''

[snooker_wiz]

Which type of linseed oil is worse for making the shaft dark, raw or boiled ?

[BITTER]

I find the used oil from the chip shop to be very good.

Smells a bit fishy but lovelly smooth finish.

I even sell it at £1.49 a pot, been a good seller of late.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MESE:IT&ih=008

[duffster]

smooth cue.

Quick tip to all of you suffering a sticky cue,get a polishing sponge used for shining your shoes, rub that up and down your cue a few times and you will feel the difference straight away, cheap too!