Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 02, 2009 08:45pm | #1

   Yes, but pure tung oil takes a long time to fully cure. I would give it at least a week (two weeks is better) to cure. Shellac is a very effective air impermeable finish and will impede the oxygen flow needed for the tung oil to cure.

   For the future, you might want to try boiled linseed oil. BLO cures much faster and will also darken the wood color and "pop" the grain figure.

   Howie.........
1. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 02, 2009 11:53pm | #2

   Is there a specific brand of BLO that you recommend, or is the stuff in the blue can from the box stores just as good?

   Jeff

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 03, 2009 03:48am | #3

   For our purposes it's fine.  No need to worry about the picky details of acid numbers and the like that fine artists might care about--at 10 times the price. 

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 03, 2009 07:22pm | #6

   As Steve has said, basically, BLO is BLO.Howie.........

2. 
   Parke | Mar 03, 2009 02:31pm | #4

   I've had problems with BLO finishing tacky.  Should it be diluted with mineral spirits?  Or could it just be old BLO?

    

   Parke.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 03, 2009 04:45pm | #5

   The usual problem with BLO is that it hasn't been vigorously wiped off the surface after having a relatively short time to penetrate.  As a film on the surface it is quite likely to be gummy--that's just it's natural property.

   BLO isn't a very good "finish", in fact it is one of the worst.  It is desirable for it's grain popping characteristics, applied and wiped off and then cured, under other finishes, and for mixing with varnish to make an oil/varnish mix that will look almost the same as an oil only finish, but will dry harder (though still not hard enough to be left as a film, but will offer quite a bit greater protection against water spotting. 

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 03, 2009 07:25pm | #7

   A tacky residue is an indication that the excess oil has not be completely wiped off. The process is to apply the oil, let it set 15=30 minutes and then wipe it as dry as you can get it using lots of clean paper towels. After a half an hour to an hour, go back and re-wipe it. If you are working with a large pored wood like red oak, periodic re-wiping may be required every half hour or so until it stops bleeding back.Howie.........