Tung Oil Application

[VagueScorpio]

I'm getting ready to apply some Tung Oil to a little project. If you can call it that. I took a scrap piece of wood from something I was doing, sanded it down for a coffee cup coaster for my desk.

Anyways, I've never applied it before. I've read on how to apply it and that jazz. However, nothing that answers my question.

 

My question is this: After I apply the oil to one side, how long do I need to let it dry/cure before I can flip it over and apply the other side?

[lew]

@Smallpatch just used that on a decorative spoon. 

 

 

 

You might ask him about his technique

[Headhunter]

Push some small nails through a piece of cardboard. Apply the oil to both sides and let the coaster rest on the nail points. Such a minute surface contact won't bother the oil at all and will let it dry on both sides evenly.

[Gerald]

You can also use old bandsaw blades cut and bent into a V to support work . Use with points up.

[VagueScorpio]

1 hour ago, Headhunter said:

Push some small nails through a piece of cardboard. Apply the oil to both sides and let the coaster rest on the nail points. Such a minute surface contact won't bother the oil at all and will let it dry on both sides evenly.

 

Duh, that is a fantastic idea. I don't know why I didn't think about that, thank you. Such a simple solution.

For some reason I was making it out to be a much more complex idea in my head. Overthinking everything.

[VagueScorpio]

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

You can also use old bandsaw blades cut and bent into a V to support work . Use with points up.

Good idea. Thanks, I'll remember that too.

[VagueScorpio]

My last question is: After applying the 100% Pure Tung Oil to the wood, wiping it on and all that... How long should I let it cure?

 

It will be outside in the back yard. It's hot this week around 98-101. I'm hoping to get it done tomorrow. Maybe even later this evening.

[Gene Howe]

I don't use tung oil but, with Watco, I give it 24 hours.

 

 

[Gerald]

19 hours ago, VagueScorpio said:

My last question is: After applying the 100% Pure Tung Oil to the wood, wiping it on and all that... How long should I let it cure?

 

It will be outside in the back yard. It's hot this week around 98-101. I'm hoping to get it done tomorrow. Maybe even later this evening.

Do not apply 100% , it must be thinned. For initial I use turpentine 50% or you can use mineral spirits. After two applications you can use 100% but I usually continue thinned. You must go back after about an hour and wipe off so there is no standing oil. I recoat after it is dry to touch. Time usually 24 hours for first 2-3 coats, after that may be 3-5 days between. 

 

Next question will be How Many Coats? It varies with the porosity of wood. Have not had good result with cherry (1-3 coats) , Oak very good (7-10 coats at least), Pecan about the same as oak, Walnut much the same as cherry but better results.

[VagueScorpio]

52 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Do not apply 100% , it must be thinned. For initial I use turpentine 50% or you can use mineral spirits. After two applications you can use 100% but I usually continue thinned.

 

I'm not questioning your knowledge. But, why do you say that?

 

Everything I've read said it should be fine to use 100% Tung Oil. It does discuss thinning with various solvents, but in the end it says pure Tung Oil is fine.

 

Since I was actually about to do this 2 minutes from now and saw your post. I'll wait.

[Gerald]

2 hours ago, VagueScorpio said:

 

I'm not questioning your knowledge. But, why do you say that?

 

Everything I've read said it should be fine to use 100% Tung Oil. It does discuss thinning with various solvents, but in the end it says pure Tung Oil is fine.

 

Since I was actually about to do this 2 minutes from now and saw your post. I'll wait.

I was told this by the finishing guru on the old Wood forum. You get better penetration with a thinned application and it dries faster. I do this for all film finishes also and in that case it acts as a sealer.