Anyone with knowledge of Victorian-era (and earlier) floor finishing techniques?

[ret5hd]

3. How much time ya' got?

Your homemade mixture sounds a lot like Watco's Danish Oil...a mixture of boiled linseed and tung oils. The finish is tough because unlike poly or varnish finishes (which sit on top of the surface) it soaks in deeply and the finish is "in" the wood.

Problem number one is, it stinks. A lot. For about a week. Enough that you wouldn't want to live there without wearing a respirator.

Problem number two is the entire process. For a fine furniture finish I have heard the process described thusly:
Once a day for a week. (day1, slather it on, let it sit for 4 hrs, then wipe up the remainder. All applications after this are done with a rag dampened with the oil, rubbing it in well)

Once a week for a month.
Once a month for a year.
Once a year thereafter.

I don't think you would need to go to that extreme though. 5 days worth would be enough.

I have used this process up thru the "once a week for a month" stage on pieces much smaller than an entire floor. It leaves an almost indescribable finish, as if no finish at all is on the wood, but with a silken sheen. As if the wood itself is polished.

I have used the Watco's Danish Oil on a floor, but only one coat then dry then polyurethane on top.