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Ok, I’m using Minwax tung oil on a coffee table that I’m refinishing. Although, it isn’t labeled as such, I assume the Minwax product is polymerized tung oil. According to the directions on the label, you are supposed to wait 5-10 minutes after application and then “buff evenly with a clean, lint-free cloth.” And after that let it sit for 24 hours to fully cure/dry before adding another coat.
The problem is really more with the second coat: After rubbing the oil on, it looks nice and shiny and wet. If I wait for the specified 5-10 minutes, the finish is still quite tacky and will not realy “buff” well at all (I tried cloth and 0000 steel wool). Should I start buffing before the drying process even starts (basically rubbing off the finish) or do I wait until the finish has really dried to the point where it is no longer tacky (which in my estimation would take significantly longer than 5-10 minutes)?
I’ve got it to the point where it looks nice regardless, but I’m certainly not following the label directions in order to do so. Any suggestions?
p.s. If it helps to know, the wood is light colored and closed grain, maybe maple. Also, I live in Cleveland, where it has been nice lately (mid-50’s, about 40% humidity).
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Couple of things. First, in spite of the name of the product, Minwax's Tung Oil Finish contains little or no real tung oil. It's an oil/varnish product where the oil is linseed oil. The varnish is probably made with tung oil--other oils used to make varnish are linseed oil, and vegetable oils--but once it is varnish it's an entirely different product from tung oil and not much different from the varnish made from most other oils. Watco and Minwax's Antique Oil are not much different. If you want real tung oil, look for a product that says "pure" or "100%".
You could make your own by mixing equal parts of the varnish of choice with boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits and have a product that is similar and will perform as well.
No matter what oil/varnish you use, it is not a high gloss finish. It is primarily a soft luster finish. Because of its high oil content is is also not very durable. A nice way to use it is to apply the second coat and sand in with 280-320 W&D sandpaper. It will create a slurry that somewhat fills the pores and, when harded, smooths the surface. Let it sit 20-30 minutes then wipe it dry. After fully cured--3-4 weeks--apply a coat of paste wax and buff. That will give you the highest gloss that this type of finish will give. Try it on some scrap and see how you like it.
If you want more gloss, you can apply a varnish over it after it is fully cured.
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