All finishes protect wood and an oil finish is one popular and excellent finish 
for furniture. An oil finish tends to accent the woods natural beauty and texture. This type of finish penetrates into the wood and is durable and long lasting. Although the finish may need to be reapplied after much use, you will get years of pleasure before that is required. The finish is water and alcohol resistant. There are many options for oil finishes, and a range of color and sheen variations. Some may have stain and seal in one step.
A traditional linseed oil finish is glossy and protects the wood, however it is more labor intensive to apply properly and requires a multitude of well rubbed coats. Other oils such as Tung oil and Danish oil finishes are effective and may not require as many coats.
Before starting you will need to ensure that your work space is as free of dust as possible. Like any finish, an oil finish requires a very clean environment. Your furniture can be previously stained with a non rising grain stain or bare wood. Large open pores should be filled, and the surface should be well sanded and smooth, and further cleaned with a tack cloth before applying any finish.
All oil finishes are applied in the same manner. Apply an even coat of oil into one area at a time with a clean cheesecloth pad. Rub the oil into the wood using firm pressure and working along the grain. The motion of rubbing the oil into the wood generates warmth which is important in helping the oil penetrate deeply. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but the idea is to continue rubbing in oil until the wood stops absorbing more oil. Once the wood has absorbed as much oil as it can, you will wipe off all excess oil.
Usually you will not want to have any oil left on the surface you are finishing. You will need to apply at least one more coat of oil, and as many as twenty coats depending on the actual oil finish you are using. Be sure that each coat is thoroughly dry before applying the next coat. If you hurry this process you will end up with a sticky finish.
Each additional coat of oil is applied in the same manner as the first coat, thoroughly rubbed in, wiped off and allowed to completely dry. Continue to apply coats until the finish is rich and hard.