[MelNM]

Has anyone used motor oil to seal their carvings before painting? I use BLO to do mine, I have heard that it is very combustible, has anyone actually seen this self ignite? Or is it one of them urban legends?

The MSDS says

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
RISK OF FIRE FROM SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION EXISTS WITH THIS PRODUCT

CAUTION: Oil soaked materials may spontaneously ignite.RISK OF FIRE FROM SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION EXISTS WITH THIS PRODUCT. Linseed Oil generates heat as it dries. This heat generated as it dries can cause spontaneous ignition of materials contacted by Linseed Oil. Oily rags or waste and other oily materials can cause spontaneous combustion fires if not handled properly. Immediately after use, and before disposal or storage, you MUST (1) spread out all oily materials outside to dry by flattening them out to their full size in an any spot for 24 hours at temperatures above 40° F, or (2) Wash them thoroughly with water and detergent and rinse. Repeat until you have removed all oil from all cloths, tools, rags, paper, clothing, mops and any other materials contacted during use or as a result of an accidental spill. Make certain all wash and rinse water is disposed of down sink drain.

http://www.allprocorp.com/techbuls/S...BldLnsdOil.cfm

[Dave_from_Toronto]

I would think that motor oil would be like using raw linseed oil. It would never cure/dry. The advantage of BLO or Tung oil is that they polymerize as they cure.

[squbrigg]

Why not use Shellack as a sealer?

Bob

[AlArchie]

Yes, I have first hand experience with BLO spontaneously combusting.....it was years back when I was applying finish to an antique dresser, and left an oil soaked rag on the back of a chair. Next morning we could smell something burning and found both the rag and the back of the chair severely charred. fortunately we caught it befor it flamed.

Oily rags of any kind should be stored in an airtight metal container, or dealt with as mentioned by Clifford.

Al

Also, there are a lot of additives that your engine needs that I don't think you want on your carvings. They don't react the same on wood as they do on hot metal.
Good luck Ken in So Cal

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

try KT Super sealer...or most times I use miniwax prestain sealer or sanding sealer

I've expermented with motor oil ... It gives sort of a slight transparent effect to basswood ... brands of motor oil vary slightly as to the color they make the wood ... some lighter, some darker .... most just a bit darker than blo ... it does take several days to dry ... trying to remember exactly where I got the idea, think it was in an article in a past issure of WCI, but not sure.

Found it .... was in the Spring 2000 issue of WCI ... article by David Sabol on Carving eh Old Timer. Doesn't really say anyhing other than he use 5W30 motor oil.

[MelNM]

WCI carving article, had a lady carver whose name I think was Jean Boyd, she carve Cypress Knees and I think she used motor oil. I was wondering if it had the same effects as BLO,
maybe I'll experiment on some smaller carving and see how that goes.