Restoring a healthy look of a wooden doorbell

[RookieTony]

Dear DIYnot members,

I am looking to give this wooden doorbell panel a bit of TLC, but I don't know what oil or paint to use in this situation:

The panel is exposed to the elements. I don't think it has massively changed from its original colour - perhaps became a few shades brighter.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

 

[Old Salt]

That looks as if it may be oak to my untrained eye. I would sand it down and coat with some clear yacht varnish (not polyurethane) as it makes it easy to rub down in the future or you could use some danish wood oil.

 

[JohnD]

Varnish degrades and cracks outdoors and has to be sanded off. Oil is much easier to recoat in future
I use Boiled Linseed Oil.

Danish oil is just vegetable oil (as for frying) with White Spirit added to make it easier to apply, and dry quicker.

If you want to correct the colour, first sand it off and use a spirit-based wood dye (not a stain) such as Blackfriars or Wilko own brand which is very good.

 

[Mr Chibs]

I use Tung oil on my hardwood door cills.

I'd go with JohnD's recommendation - oil instead of varnish for exterior wood, give it a quick application yearly with a cloth.

 

[opps]

I agree with the advice to use an oil but would add that to restore the wood to the original colour you will need to sand the wood back first. Unfortunately most oils do not have UV inhibitors that will prevent the UV light from penetrating and bleaching the wood again. Osmo make an exterior oil, I have only used it once, I had to use it to seal a wooden cross for a grave, it only need to survive for a year, I have no idea how efficient the UV blockers were.

 

[RookieTony]

Thank you for all the answers! Will wait for good weather and will report back with some photos