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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
kennythekey OP
593 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.
usblues
1,217 posts
 
Good news.Thats good wood and with a visit to most any decent shop they will hip you to the solution.If no shop then google Danish oil,Tung oil etc and do some research.You have the base material[Maple] to work with and not fools gold.Cheers,Bob
jdoris
972 posts
 
Hi Kenny. I'd expect the oil to as a solvent, lifting up the gum; if you wipe the excess off vigorously, I expect you'll be in a decent place. John
kennythekey OP
593 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.
jdoris
972 posts
 
Hey Kenny. I'd not re-oil any time soon. If it was overloaded, let it work itself out. I didn't wax, so I can't say, but one thing I like about the oil is how easy it is to touch up and make corrections as needed. John
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