[Tom5151]

Hello,

I recently finished a project with pure 100% Tung Oil. Applied 5 coats. It has been drying for a week and I plan to let it dry another 3 weeks or so. I have not done anything to it at all since the last coat was applied a week ago other than wipe off the excess oil 30 minutes after application and just let it sit there and dry. I am considering doing a light "buffing" with pumice and paraffin oil after it has dried another 3 weeks or so. Would there be any problem in doing that?

Thanks.

 

[Steve Neul]

A lot would depend on how long you let the tung oil dry between the 5 coats. Tung oil is a very slow drying finish and may take weeks between coats. If you applied it quicker than that you might want to wait a month or so longer. The best way to tell if a coat of tung oil is dry enough for another coat is to briskly rub it with a clean cloth and see if the tung oil smell transfers to the rag. When there is no smell it is ready. If the finish isn't fully cured all the way through it is possible it may be affected by the paraffin oil.

 

[Manuka Jock]

I'm not up on tung oil ,
but of pure raw linseed oil it is said
"One coat a day for a week, one coat a week for a month and one coat of month for a year."

 

[Tom5151]

Thank you gentlemen. I did one coat every couple of days.....I think I'll wait a month before doing anything......thanks again

 

[cabinetman]

I'm not up on tung oil ,
but of pure raw linseed oil it is said
"One coat a day for a week, one coat a week for a month and one coat of month for a year."

I wouldn't use raw linseed oil on any woodwork. BTW, that saying is one of those propagated sayings started on forums, and repeated ad nauseum. Actually it was meant to apply to mineral oil maintenance for butcher block. But, as any oil treatments, it should be applied as needed.

.

 

[Tom5151]

With all due respect, I wasn't asking if I SHOULD use it. I made the decision to use it. I am happy with the results. My questions is pretty specific.

 

[Manuka Jock]

I wouldn't use raw linseed oil on any woodwork. BTW, that saying is one of those propagated sayings started on forums, and repeated ad nauseum. Actually it was meant to apply to mineral oil maintenance for butcher block. But, as any oil treatments, it should be applied as needed.

That will come as a bit of a surprise to the generations of furniture makers who have used linseed oil over the centuries .

Petroleum derived mineral oil being 19th -20th century product