Hi, I’ve gotten a batch of pale white colored pine pallets, wanna use them to make a stacked bed (2×3*3) and 2 similar low tables (2×3*1 and 2×2*2) one for outdoors.
My carpenter said they’ll sand n apply it, but i need to choose the polish.
Given both surfaces will be attacked by water n food n baby cousin climbing endeavours, I’m thinking to use pure Tung oil for waterproofing, and then a slightly more durable but still food safe finish to close it up, maybe a sealent/different second finish for the outdoor one.
Aeroplane pure Tung oil (will one coat be enough or 2{Q1}, n how much Tung oil for 1 sqft of Pinewood ?{Q2}) – https://amzn.eu/d/1nB2oOJ
Aeroplane Beeswax Finish (will this be durable enough for frequently used items ?{Q3} I’m guessing like odie’s u can just apply some more if it comes off, can you ?{Q4} …) – https://amzn.eu/d/cqKLZ6E
I’m not considering Polyurethane/crylic etc. cuz they are said to have a solid n plastic-y feel on the wood, n i def want a smooth but wooden feel, especially given that they are pallets.
I was thinking Odie’s as the second finish instead, but it darkens the wood, n i don’t want the lovely white color to darken beyond the Tung oil’s warm tone.{Q5 – will it?} (So no color changing finishes pls)
And any recommendation in the sealent/second finish for the outdoors table ? These pallets have already been seasoned n lived outdoors for quite a while but i feel like rain protection is always the best, n this place has both a decent sun and tiny hail in rain. It does need to be non toxic/food grade tho cuz I have little cousins who will definitely eat off it n the other surfaces at some point. Or just bite it, idk. {Q6 – recc}
Also for the Tung oil, is it a good idea to mix it with a solvent for the first layer{Q7}, n then all Tung oil for the second layer{Q8} ?(so to limit the colour change ?{Q9 – will it affect color}) Can u recommend me a suitable solvent (does it need to be food grade too, as it apparently evaporates ?{Q10}), I can’t use D-limonene as it’s too costly here or is it the only one that can be used in this situation ?{Q11 – only option?}
I’ve looked some stuff up, but I’m a complete newbie when it comes to working with wood n finishes directly. Hope it turns out great.
Also for either finishes, how long should one wait, before wiping off the excess ?{Q12&13 – Tung & aeroplane Beeswax}
For context, I live in Bangalore, India.
I’ve put the pic of the pallets the guy is selling me (they made a bed with it for someone else) and my ideal color goal.
PS – why I think the surfaces will be used often is that : For the bed my mattress is smaller than the full pallet bed, so there’ll be bare surfaces on all three sides, the table won’t have a cloth on as the bare wood goes with my home’s aesthetic, the table outside will be drying chillies n other herbs n have bbq parties n won’t have a cover on it most times either.
-I’ll be putting the planks on the pallets together to create a gapless smooth surface for the items. Ideas on how to use the bare base planks are welcome. {Q14 – suggestions}
Replies
Not a great big fan of Tung Oil, other than as Waterlox, which is probably a good choice for you. I wouldn't worry so much about food safe unless you have two legged critters chewing on the wood?
But yes, generally speaking its necessary to thin Tung oil, especially on the first sealing coat, as it will penetrate better.
I'm using a brand that says the bottle contains only Pure Tung oil - aeroplane (India)
Yes, the human critters will be chewing on them, a couple are starting to walk n are very excited to be regularly putting themselves in mortal danger, n I'm sure there's more coming.
Necessary ? What to u mean ?
Hi Ashb1900, That guy waited for your thread to drop from page 1 then came back to add that spam link.
Pretty much all finishes once fully cured are "food safe" as the solids are essentially inert. If you can't smell the solvent you can put your sandwich down on it. "Food safe" is not the same as being safe as a food, so if a finish is flaking off don't put your sandwich down on it. That's why cutting boards don't get film finishes while salad tongs can.
So any solvent is fine for a layer that goes under i guess. Any recommendations on what solvent /in what mix to use ? Don't solvents evaporate completely ? Why would I smell it ...
Does the Beeswax Finish look like it'll be durable ? If it's not n a bit comes off, can i just apply more there like Odie's ? How does a finish "flake off" 😳 ?
For pine used indoors, I like the way garnet shellac (ca. 8 coats of 1.5 lb cut) look (see image). Also gives a similar look to baltic birch plywood. No idea how to finish outdoor furniture.
Shellac is known to leave the inorganic feeling film (like polyurethane/crylic) that I'm trying to avoid.
I want it to be smooth(sanding), but want it to feel like wood. N look like wood.
I think the wood in this picture looks a bit glossy, for my taste
I would use water based polyurethane.
Pine takes this well, and it will let the natural golden colour through.
Oil based will give the yellow colour sooner.
Tung oil is not really that protective and will take up to a month to cure properly.
When cured, polyurethane is food safe.
Is that what's called polycrylic by some woodworkers in videos ?
Some people say it leaves a plastic-y, inorganic texture on the wood ?
I want it to feel like smooth wood...
How long does it take to cure ? So if a 4 year old bites it , or eats a fruit off of it ? Is it rain water proof ?
Thanks !!
Um, r u sure that's the right link ? Just takes me to a employee organisation site, or something?
Polyurethane can be food grade ? Damn ? I don't wanna use it tho, cuz it changes the texture on the wood so much it makes it feel plastic rather than smooth so idk. I don't want that. Same with polycrylic. Also might gloss, which i absolutely wanna avoid.
Marine grade varnish, any varnish names or brand names for that ?
Also, do u have any experience with Odie's ?
Mineral spirits fully evaporate ? I thought all solvents evaporate n food grade solvents(eg. D-limonene) exist cuz there's non food grade ones ?
There's no need to dilute Tung oil ? May i ask what u mean ?
PS - umm i googled mineral oil...