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Using Tung Oil.

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
I am using Tung oil for the first time, for a handle to be used on a kitchen implement, the destruction's say to apply two coats:


Apply Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain, if desired, following the label directions.

Be sure the stain has completely dried before applying the finish.
Wipe or brush on a generous coat of Minwax® Tung Oil. Apply in the direction of the grain.
Let sit on wood for approximately 5-10 minutes, then buff evenly with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Wait 24 hours and apply a second coat. Two coats are recommended.

My query is I did this but thought the finish was lacking, so I applied another two coats, which made the finish look a lot better.

How many coats would you recommend?

Do you buff it item when you have finished it.

How would you tell the customer to look after this item.
 

Terry Q

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Oct 8, 2014
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Location
Roanoke, Illinois USA
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Terry
I've never used a penetrating oil finish on anything but a bowl. I flood the first coat VERY HEAVILY. I keep wiping the areas that soak up the most. I take at least a half hour to rub in the first coat. I go back to the bowl for the next couple hours and wipe off any oil that seeps back out. End grain soaks in more than side grain so the side grain will seep. I repeat this process on day 2 but don't apply as heavy a coat but still spend a lot of time rubbing in to the end grain. This way 2 coats is usually enough.

Sorry got off on a tangent. Add oil until YOU think its enough or your just tired of messing with it. Let it dry for a couple weeks before buffing.

Customer advise, no dish washer, no soaking, wipe and air dry.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
On my main room wall I have a butt cut(about 4 feet by two feet) of a Huon Pine tree with most of the character that Huon Burl can produce. I used Tung oil and because it was cold weather applied and left it in a bedroom to dry then a second coat . It took forever to dry. The resultant finish is incredible then and still.

My thinking in your heat applied as I did and also described by Terry above it would dry very easily.

I picked up in the catalogue for Liberon they have developed a new product called quick drying Tung Oil, yesterday they ordered some for me.

At the same time Liberon now have a new finish for turned woodwork supposed to be outstanding , ordered some of that as well. THis firm has to pay from the Aussie importer 180.00Au per delivery they cant fly it cause of flammable oils.

Peter.
 

Woody

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Jul 12, 2013
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at home
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no
Hi Mark I apply a minimum of 6 coats like Terry first coat very heavy wipe of excess after 5min denib after a min of 24 hours depending on the drying conditions when dry apply another coat and keep repeating till your happy with the finish some woods take more coats that others which I'm sure you understand good luck mate
 

Louie_Powell

Apprentice Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
39
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY USA
First Name
Louie
First off - the product you are using is actually a 'long oil varnish'; that's not the same thing as pure Tung oil. In fact, there are those who claim that the Minwax 'Turn Oil' finish doesn't even contain any Tung oil.

Having said that, you should apply it the same way you would apply any penetrating oil finish (Danish Oil, Antique Oil, Teak Oil, etc) - apply liberally, let it soak in for a while, and then rub off the excess. I've never used the Minwax product, but the my experience with other long-oil varnishes is that they should sit on the wood fro a minimum of 30 minutes. After about an hour, they start to become tacky and rubbing is more difficult. I prefer to use either paper towel or used (and washed) underwear - something that is relatively lintless.

Then, let the finish cure for a few hours - at least four hours, and overnight is better. Then, denib with 4/0 steel wool or a gray scruffy, and repeat the application and rubbing process. I prefer a minimum of three applications, but have applied more when I felt so inspired.

The basic application for utility pieces, but for something that is on display, I let the oil finish cure for a few days, and then use either an abrasive paste (for small items) - Dr. Kirk's Scratch Freee, EEE Ultrashine, or Yorkshire Grit, followed by a past wax. On larger pieces, I will buffing wheels to buff and wax to a high gloss.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
A few quick pics of my butt cut Huon Pine Burl shelf on the wall many years after finishing with Tung Oil it is directly under an Air Con outlet set to blow down in heat and cool. Just saying the finish is brilliant.

I mounted the piece so I can drool over all the features such as bark inclusions etc. It is about 4 feet across after trimming and two inches thick after surfacing. It was in the bush in Tasmania in a sellers paddock, not cheap.

Peter.
 

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wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
First off - the product you are using is actually a 'long oil varnish'; that's not the same thing as pure Tung oil. In fact, there are those who claim that the Minwax 'Turn Oil' finish doesn't even contain any Tung oil.

Having said that, you should apply it the same way you would apply any penetrating oil finish (Danish Oil, Antique Oil, Teak Oil, etc) - apply liberally, let it soak in for a while, and then rub off the excess. I've never used the Minwax product, but the my experience with other long-oil varnishes is that they should sit on the wood fro a minimum of 30 minutes. After about an hour, they start to become tacky and rubbing is more difficult. I prefer to use either paper towel or used (and washed) underwear - something that is relatively lintless.

Then, let the finish cure for a few hours - at least four hours, and overnight is better. Then, denib with 4/0 steel wool or a gray scruffy, and repeat the application and rubbing process. I prefer a minimum of three applications, but have applied more when I felt so inspired.

The basic application for utility pieces, but for something that is on display, I let the oil finish cure for a few days, and then use either an abrasive paste (for small items) - Dr. Kirk's Scratch Freee, EEE Ultrashine, or Yorkshire Grit, followed by a past wax. On larger pieces, I will buffing wheels to buff and wax to a high gloss.

Thanks Luoie will follow this.:thumbs::thumbs:
 

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
A few quick pics of my butt cut Huon Pine Burl shelf on the wall many years after finishing with Tung Oil it is directly under an Air Con outlet set to blow down in heat and cool. Just saying the finish is brilliant.

I mounted the piece so I can drool over all the features such as bark inclusions etc. It is about 4 feet across after trimming and two inches thick after surfacing. It was in the bush in Tasmania in a sellers paddock, not cheap.

Peter.

what can I say but, :drool::drool::drool:
 
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