Replies

1. 
   user-83153 | Mar 26, 2008 01:48am | #1

   Paul,

   Let's first make sure you are talking about 100% pure tung oil and not one of the many "tung oil finishes" that may or may not even contain any tung oil. If you are using 100% tung oil it will need constant reapplication on something like kitchen cabinets and will offer little to no protection from water, water vapor or any of the other things that kitchen cabinets are likely to see.

   You can use a waterborne poly finish over tung oil if it is completely cured, which takes a long time under perfect conditions and increases in time from there. I wouldn't use waterborne poly in this situation anyway, as most of those won't offer the durability you are going to need in the kitchen. Many cleaning chemicals will harm many waterborne finishes.

   Let's establish what the "tung oil" you are talking about is and exactly what waterborne finish you want to use and go from there.

                Rob

2. 
   9michael9 | Mar 26, 2008 01:51am | #2

   Waterlox is the finest product you can use.  Your cabinets will glow after your not here to see them anymore.

1. 
   TomWalton | Mar 27, 2008 03:21pm | #5

   I agree completely about Waterlox. (Its made with tung oil and phenolic resin, as I recall). Its the most durable indoor finish I've ever used, and is easy to bring to a warm - not polyurethane plastic-looking - luster. It can also be brushed, or even wiped - convenient for those of us with no spray facilities.--tom

   Edited 3/27/2008 8:23 am ET by TomWalton

3. 
   jpat | Mar 26, 2008 04:26pm | #3

   Good morning,

   No wipe on oil will give kitchen cabinets a good protective finish. Kitchen cabinets take a great deal of abuse, heat, moisture, grease splatters, and even humidity. This requires a tuff finish. If this is your own kitchen and knowing how you will use it perhaps an oil will work.  I use a conversion varnish for this. I will admit it is not the easiest finish to spray but it is the best. It's a two part mix and depending on which one you use the pot life can be as much as 24 hrs.

   Good luck,

   John

4. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 26, 2008 05:21pm | #4

   I've had good luck with clear Danish Oil applied to "pop" the grain, followed by a good poly. I usually let the oil dry for at least 2 days, preferably 3, before applying the poly. You can get some pretty nice catalyzed poly if you want a really rugged finish for kitchen cabs.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

5. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 27, 2008 05:33pm | #6

   Another note: you don't want tung oil on the insides of the cabinets. It'll put off an odor for years.

6. 
   user-83153 | Mar 28, 2008 02:25am | #7

   Paul....Paul? Are you still there Paul?

                   Rob

1. 
   PaulCW | Mar 31, 2008 03:59pm | #8

   I apprecitate the information about the uses of tung oil finish.  I've done some samples and the look of tung oil can be somewhat achieved by using a golden oak stain with poly over that, which is the path I'll most likely choose.