Tung Oil or........????

[vsquizz]

I was reading an article on wipe-on-finishes in the Australian Woodsmith the other night. Seems the author doesn't have a very high opinion of one of my favoured finishes being tung oil. His/her description of Tung Oil characteristics does not match my own experiences leading me to several possible conclusions:

1.) I am an Idiot
2.) The author is an Idiot
3.) Our opinions vary because of the products on the market.

My thinking is that 1.) & 3.) are considerably more likely than 2.) {and less likely to result in a law suit} . So I'd like to discard 1.) as this theory has been well tested and proven on a regular basis.

Coincidentally a BB member told me a lot of what is sold as "Tung Oil" contains polyurethane. Unfortunatley I don't have a can on hand and when I buy Tung Oil I just tend to grab a can off the shelf from any manufacturer I recognise and the price is decent. I have also never really read the can in detail other than the thinning/clean-up/safety etc stuff.

So am I being lead up the proverbial, wool pulled over eyes, and what is getting around as "Tung Oil" is actually a mix .

I noticed the author stated Pure Tung Oil several times. I thought Tung Oil was...well..Tung Oil, or is it a case of what Sol says?. Does anybody have a can with some fine print that states what is actually in it?.

Should I be looking for pure tung oil?... Has anybody seen Elvis latley?

[zymurgy]

I have also never really read the can in detail other than the thinning/clean-up/safety etc stuff.

I think you will find that PURE Tung Oil has none of the above. It's a natural product and can be applied with your hands if your inclined. It's consistancy is like warmed honey. In fact I thin it with turps for first few coats.

What didn't the article like about it?

[vsquizz]

Gordon, Said it was only a small step up from linseed (which in my exp is crap) "Many coats, thin build, slight sheen". which is not my experience either. I thin a bit and use 3 to 4 coats, comes up beautiful. I must admit that any oil finish needs some maintenance.

The article just got me to thinking that what I had been using was not actually Pure tung oil.

Cheers

[hexbaz]

Gordon, Said it was only a small step up from linseed (which in my exp is crap) "Many coats, thin build, slight sheen". which is not my experience either. I thin a bit and use 3 to 4 coats, comes up beautiful. I must admit that any oil finish needs some maintenance.

The article just got me to thinking that what I had been using was not actually Pure tung oil.

Cheers

The stuff I buy most definitely says pure tung oil on it - and I would say your experiences pretty much match mine. I thin 50% with white spirit for the first coat; around 20% for the second, then unthinned for 2 (sometimes 3) more coats. 24 hours between coats. And yes, it "comes up beautiful"!


Maybe the guy who wrote the article was using some kind of cheap inferior mixed product - or maybe he has not used it at all and is relying on a 'friend of a friend'?

Pure tung oil is more expensive (in UK anyway) than the mixed varieties. I have not tried a mix yet - I like the finish that I'm getting.

[Theva]

Visquizz,

Best way to check it out is to read the label or find a copy of MSDS and check the contents. Most of the commercial “tung oils” have poly or alkyd resigns (up to 30% rest solvents) and no tung oil :eek: . They are the culprits.

Regards,

Theva

[vsquizz]

Thanks guys. I guess I better do some research before I buy some more.

I know I used Watyl awhile back. And I thought it was the beautiful soft brush I used and the magnificent brush off technique I developed:eek: . Its more likely the stuff was full of varnish it seems:confused: . Or maybe it wasn't and I end up back at 2.) and a lawsuit......Bugger .

So what brands are being used which appear to be Pure?.


Cheers

[zymurgy]

I purchased a 5L container of Sceneys Pure Tung oil for $53.00 about three weeks ago from PaintMobile here in Victoria. Give Sceney Chemicals a ring 0393117477 and see if they have a WA distributor. They put me onto Paintmobile.

[vsquizz]

Hex, Is there any particular reason you use white spirit?. I have been using turps, seems OK.

BTW - so nobody has seen Elvis??
Cheers

[hexbaz]

Hex, Is there any particular reason you use white spirit?. I have been using turps, seems OK.

I doubt whether the thinning agent makes any difference. The thinner will evaporate anyway, and its main purpose is to get the first couple of coats to soak into the wood. I use white spirit because that's what I have in the shed!

[Termite]

I've got VB in my shed. Will that do?

[vsquizz]

If you use metho instead of the VB you will probably get to see Elvis

[HappyHammer]

Gordon, Said it was only a small step up from linseed (which in my exp is crap) "Many coats, thin build, slight sheen". which is not my experience either.

I'm about to use Boiled Linseed Oil on a Post Box, obviously external, would I be better off using Tung Oil or is that strictly interior OR should I be using something different?:confused:

The post box is clad in blue gum and I'm keen to make it look its best.

HH.

[vsquizz]

HH, I have not used Real Oil finishes exterior but I'd be a bit inclined to use one of the decking oils which are exterior rated for a longer lasting finish. You will have to re-coat at least 12 monthly anyway. Do a search for decking oils as there is a thread I was reading earlier today. I actually found it by Googling for Sceneys

BTW I am planning on doing the same with my LB. How bout a piccy. I was going to use marine ply and jarrah and finish with a marine varnish but I reckon an oil finish would look better.

Cheers

[outback]

1) I have never used tung oil

2) I use a variant of VB regularly

3) I sometimes use metho

4) Interchanging point 3 and point 4 above results in not only seeing Elvis but having a full on jam session.



Hope this most serious contribution helps

[aussieglen]

Hi VSQUIZZ,
Have a look at this web site - it was one of the Google ads at the top of the page while I was reading your message. It seems coincidental but it might be useful for you.
aussieglen

http://www.realmilkpaint.com/oil.html