I need help figuring out the best finish for a Walnut table that I’ve built. I’d like to keep it from fading, as well as sealing the wood from moisture. I’m thinking of using my old stand-by: a tung oil, min. spitirs, and poly mix. Wipe on and wipe off after ten min.
Should I go with a Danish oil? What’s the difference between that and Tung oil? Is it necessary to incorperate poly into the mix for deifinte seal?
Replies
The only thing that will prevent walnut from lightening is to keep it out of the sunlight. You could try a finish that contains a UV inhibitor but even the best marine finishes require frequent reapplication to renew the UV protection.
That said, your oil/varnish mixture will provide a nice, warm, low-luster finish with a little protection. For a dining room table that gets little abuse, it would be my choice.
Danish oil is generally just a marketing name for an oil/varnish mixture like Watco, Minwax Tung Oil Finish, etc. Be careful of the words "tung oil" too. The products labeled "Tung Oil Finish" contain little and most contain no real tung oil. They are either linseed oil/varnish mixtures like Watco or Minwax or thinned varnishes like Formby's Tung Oil Finish.
If you want real tung oil, look for the words "100%" or "pure" on the label of the can. If you don't see those words, it isn't real tung oil.Howie.........
Edited 10/17/2004 2:04 pm ET by Howie
Did you reach any conclusions? I have the same exact question as you. I want to finish a walnut dining table and want to prevent it from fading too much without staining it too much or not at all. From the research I've done so far I've come to the conclusion to go with a few coats of natural Danish oil and then once dried go with a few coats of General Finishes Arm-R-Seal. Let me know, thanks a lot!
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