Old Time Wood Floor Finish Question

M

Mike Trudel

Well-known member
A friend who has built wood boats for the last 50yrs told me a wood floor finish that was used by old time schooner owners and I was wondering if anyone if familiar with this "deck Juice"?

I should state that I am switching from a plywood floor to 6" deck boards that will be untreated. The formula is: 1 qrt turpentine
1 qrt boiled linseed oil
1/2 pint pine tar
1/2 pint Japan drier

The Japan drier is probably a recent addition to the formula, but it seems logical. Just wondered if anyone has tried this on wood floors? Thanks. Mike
 
Hi Mike--
yes, I've heard of it. My dad uses it to coat the interior of a clinker-planked small rowboat every year. Goes on tacky, but is wonderful for the planks and after years of coatings like this, the interior of the boat has a real dark coloring to it. it's good stuff...

Jamus
 
That is still used today on a lot of the boats up here in Maine, I all ways mixed it up a Qt. turpentine, boiled Linseed oil,and pinetar and at least a pint of japan drier. If you dont put the Japan drier in it will be stickie for months.
 
Mike there is an article about the finish in Woodboat Mag, maybe about 8 months agos, might want to check it out. If you cann't find it, let me know and I will send you a copy.
 
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