I've been lurking around here for some time, learning from the masters. I'm
working on a walnut jewelry box for SWMBO. I've asked some of the local
folks for finishing ideas and for better or worse decided to go with tung
oil. This is my first time using it ( mistake 1 ? ). I have a piece of
scrap that I've applied three coats to, following the directions on the can
over the last three days allowing 24hrs between coats. The results still
aren't quite what I thought they would be in regards to the sheen. When I
applied the first coat and saw how much it brought out the figure I thought
I was on the right track. Is there a "rule of thumb" on how many coats of
tung oil it takes to have a really great looking end result?

TIA

If you keep wiping it off, versus letting it spend half an eternity curing
on the surface, you'll never get there. Coat or two of tung-based varnish,
thinned with 1/3 mineral spirits might be a good move.

Or shellac, but SWMBO might get fingerprints on it after using one of the
multitude of alcohol-including cosmetics and scents.

"booger" wrote in message
...
I've been lurking around here for some time, learning from the masters.
I'm
working on a walnut jewelry box for SWMBO. I've asked some of the local
folks for finishing ideas and for better or worse decided to go with tung
oil. This is my first time using it ( mistake 1 ? ). I have a piece of
scrap that I've applied three coats to, following the directions on the
can
over the last three days allowing 24hrs between coats. The results still
aren't quite what I thought they would be in regards to the sheen. When I
applied the first coat and saw how much it brought out the figure I
thought
I was on the right track. Is there a "rule of thumb" on how many coats of
tung oil it takes to have a really great looking end result?

TIA

In article ,
says...
I've been lurking around here for some time, learning from the masters. I'm
working on a walnut jewelry box for SWMBO. I've asked some of the local
folks for finishing ideas and for better or worse decided to go with tung
oil. This is my first time using it ( mistake 1 ? ). I have a piece of
scrap that I've applied three coats to, following the directions on the can
over the last three days allowing 24hrs between coats. The results still
aren't quite what I thought they would be in regards to the sheen. When I
applied the first coat and saw how much it brought out the figure I thought
I was on the right track. Is there a "rule of thumb" on how many coats of
tung oil it takes to have a really great looking end result?

TIA



Three coats minimum though, with a nod to George's post, a Danish oil or
highly thinned oil varnish would get you there faster. Myself I'd go
with a fifty percent cut. It'll mean a coat or two extra but I feel it
gives better control.

Oiled walnut is one of my favorites. Hang in there it is worth the
effort.

Side note, I hope the "scrap" was sanded to the same degree as the box.
Degree of finish sanding can make a world of difference when looking at
how a finish will look on wood.


--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net

Thanks Mike.


I had the scrap sanded down with the same 400 grit as the box.




"MikeG" wrote in message
ews.com...
In article ,
says...
I've been lurking around here for some time, learning from the masters.
I'm
working on a walnut jewelry box for SWMBO. I've asked some of the local
folks for finishing ideas and for better or worse decided to go with tung
oil. This is my first time using it ( mistake 1 ? ). I have a piece of
scrap that I've applied three coats to, following the directions on the
can
over the last three days allowing 24hrs between coats. The results still
aren't quite what I thought they would be in regards to the sheen. When
I
applied the first coat and saw how much it brought out the figure I
thought
I was on the right track. Is there a "rule of thumb" on how many coats
of
tung oil it takes to have a really great looking end result?

TIA



Three coats minimum though, with a nod to George's post, a Danish oil or
highly thinned oil varnish would get you there faster. Myself I'd go
with a fifty percent cut. It'll mean a coat or two extra but I feel it
gives better control.

Oiled walnut is one of my favorites. Hang in there it is worth the
effort.

Side note, I hope the "scrap" was sanded to the same degree as the box.
Degree of finish sanding can make a world of difference when looking at
how a finish will look on wood.


--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net