Putty softened by any other oil than linseed?

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Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Putty softened by any other oil than linseed?

geekIT

2423 posts

Uber Geek

#226402 5-Jan-2018 16:49

I ask the question because I have some putty that, while flexible, is a tad dry.

And I'm too tight to:

a) Buy a new pot of putty

b) Buy a bottle of linseed oil

How about Canola? Olive? Engine oil?

Please share your experience :-)

'Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.' Voltaire

'A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.' Edward Abbey

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
8876 posts

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#1931110 6-Jan-2018 04:54

It seems that with massage oil, the opposite sex often become like putty in your hands - so I’d be tempted to give that a go.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

geekIT

2423 posts

Uber Geek

#1931131 6-Jan-2018 08:34

Yes, I can understand how that could happen, madam.

'Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.' Voltaire

'A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.' Edward Abbey

Sidestep

1013 posts

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#1931219 6-Jan-2018 12:47

I've thinned pure Linseed oil with Mineral Turps before. Maybe try working some into a bit and see if it softens.

But I've noticed when putty 'cures' it's from the surface in.
I think the Linseed oil component has some type of irreversible oxidative reaction that sets it permanently..

Over many years it hardens all the way through, gets brittle, finally cracking & pulling away from the glass and wood.
If yours has already started that process - maybe spring for some fresh stuff?

geekIT

2423 posts

Uber Geek

#1931331 6-Jan-2018 15:09

Thanks, Sidestep, but I think I've cracked it.

Canola oil. Works perfectly.

'Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.' Voltaire

'A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.' Edward Abbey

elbrownos

109 posts

Master Geek

#1931932 8-Jan-2018 08:23

You need a drying oil. Canola is not a drying oil.

Drying oils include linseed oil, tung oil, poppy seed oil, perilla oil, and walnut oil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drying_oil

geekIT

2423 posts

Uber Geek

#1932106 8-Jan-2018 11:25

You didn't read my original post.

I said I wanted a small amount of oil to soften putty that 'was still flexible but a tad dry'.

Canola worked fine.

'Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.' Voltaire

'A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.' Edward Abbey

larknz

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#1932188 8-Jan-2018 12:32

I think elbrownos' point is that Canola oil will soften the putty will never dry completely so you won't be able to paint over it.

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