[Cob] Oils for finishing cob/plaster/wood

[Shody Ryon]

I was told that flax seed and linseed come from the
same seed, although flax is more generally for eating
and because its nutritional qualities are damaged by
heat, light and oxygen (like all other oil, but
perhaps to a lesser extent?) it is handled in a way to
try to avoid those elements and conditions, when used
for consumption. Flax oil, because it is used for
health is mechanical pressed (with care, hopefully,
not to create too much heat) and linseed oil is likely
chemically extracted using solvents. Also golden flax
is higher than brown in nutritional value is often
substituted for brown flax which is more commonly used
for making linseed oil and linen than the golden flax.
Hemp, canola (rapeseed) and flax are all high in omega
fatty acid, so fish oil might work too, although fish
oil may have a lasting unpleasant (to many humans,
dogs would probably love it, ... if you want your dog
to stay in his cob house, you know what to do!) aroma.
That is what I heard through the grape vine; partly
rumor and the rest I channeled, so beware of lapses in
accuracy.
Shody

<snip>
> reference to plastered walls,  "various oils can be
> added to earthen
> plaster to enhance its water resistance and
> durability.  Linseed oil is
> one of the best...When exposed to oxygen in air as
> the plaster dries,
> linseed oil becomes oxidized, and is then 'fixed' in
> the wall.  
<snip> 
> "A variety of other oils can be added as well,
> including canola oil, hemp
> oil, and flax seed oil.  However, these have less
> body than linseed
> oil--that is, they are less viscous (thick).  The
> more viscous linseed
> oil also adds pliability, which other oils don't."
> 
<snip>

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