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
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
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
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.
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