[Strawbale] earthen floor - finsih coat

[Athena & Bill Steen]

I don't know where exactly the idea of using beeswax with linseed oil  
in the final finish of the floor got started, but I really don't  
think it's a good idea nor can I see any advantage in using that  
combination.  If I had anything to do with starting that fallacious   
idea it must have been a ways back when we knew a lot less than we do  
now.  If that be the case I plead ignorance to higher wisdom. I have  
no proof but I personally think it is causing drying problems for a  
number of people that I have communicated with.  I realize that  
doesn't much help the present problem, but I think I would suggest  
spreading the word or at least have it be known that linseed oil by  
itself is more than adequate.

Now I realize that doesn't help Ruth's present situation and I'm not  
sure what the best remedy would be.  Basically anything that will cut  
through the oil and help remove the material would be good. Something  
like a citrus thinner might help.  Once when we sealed an outside  
shop floor when the weather was cold we had a drying problem.  The  
remedy proved to be spreading 60 grit silica sand over the floor and  
sweeping it back and forth.  Basically the same approach that an auto  
shop would use for oil spills on the floor.  It could be tried on a  
small section of the floor to get an idea of whether or not it would  
be a viable option.

Bill
On Sep 24, 2007, at 12:25 PM, Shody Ryon wrote:

> --- Ruth Olin <goodteanicehouse at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>   I finally got the finish coat of beeswax, linseed
>> oil and turpentine on my earthen floor. It has had
>> about a month to dry. It feels dry, but it is still
>> tacky.
> <Snip>
>
> Hi Ruth,
>
> Perhaps you could stand in the middle and wait for
> visitors... sorry, that is what I consider humor, I
> couldn't resist.
>
> I seem to recall someone putting ashes from a fire
> place on floor like what you are describing; sweeping
> them around and perhaps rubbing them with a dry rag if
> they seem to need it. The memory is coming back now;
> they rubbed the ashes in to the floor with their bare
> feet as they did a finishing dance. It is a very
> sacred experience.
>
> Later, they had mold growing out of the floor, but I
> think it was because their was no (french) drain in
> foundation, around the structure or under the floor,
> and not from the floor finish.
>
> I am not sure if this is a good idea, so perhaps
> someone else will have something to add.
>
> Another thing that you could do is try some ashes in a
> very small area that is likely to be under a cabinet
> or otherwise not prominently displayed as a test to
> see how it works and if you like it.
>
> Bonne Chance,
> Cheers,
>
> Shody
>
>
>
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Athena & Bill Steen
The Canelo Project
HC1 Box 324
Canelo/Elgin, AZ 85611
absteen at dakotacom.net
www.caneloproject.com