Category talk:Decorating wood

JC: The production of charcoal gives two important byproducts - Turpintine and wood tar. Wood tar is the most likely candidate for preserving ships. Both linseed oil and wood tar are slow to dry, but a mixture of wood tar, linseed oil and turpentine 1:1:1 changes the p roperties and dries within a few days, and faster if the weather is good. Instead of the typical sticky surface from either linseed oil or wood tar, this mixture gives a waxed feel to the surface and is less likely to stain when touched.

JC: While it is correct that linseed oil can be a byproduct of linen production there is more to it. there are three varieties of linseeds: one gives good quality fibers for linen, but very poor oil output. A second variety gives are good for seeds with a high content of oil, but very poor fibers. The third variety is a compromise between the other two and give usable but medium quality fibers, and a reasonable amount of oil from the seeds.

JC: It is also possible to create paints using copper minerals - in particular Verdigris (copper acetate). This gives a variety of greens and blues. Production of Verdigris was known in the Mediterranean region at least as early as 300AD.

JC: The rivets on the Oseberg chest held in place metal plates that reinforced the chest.

JC: We are specifically missing a section on kolrosing.