Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 22, 2006 04:54pm | #1

   I really don't think you have to be fussy about proportions. You can take that Watco, add plain old polyurethane to it ( about 1/3 poly, 2/3 Watco), dump in enought mineral spirits to make it easily wipable,and off you go.

   Here is a variation I found in a magazine 15-20 years ago, which is the wipe-on finish used by the legendary Sam Maloof (before someone put his name on a line of finishes). This is a verbatim copy of my notes, which I still keep around for anybody that's interested:

   "Mix the following in three equal parts, adding enough paint thinner to the mix to make it easy to wipe:

   1) Raw, pure Tung Oil (not a so-called "tung oil finish')

   2) Boiled Linseed Oil

   3) Alkyd Varnish (not polyurethane)

   NOTES: Raw, undiluted tung oil is not easy to come by. But the last time I checked, Woodcraft still carried it in gallons (about $40). this stuff is really thick and viscous (like heavy motor oil). Note that products labeled "Tung Oil Finish" usually have only trace amounts of real tung oil, and sometimes none at all.

   I never quite understood why he mixed both linseed and tung oil, but it certainly does produce a beautiful finish.

   Alkyd varnish. This is still available, but you usually have to get it from a real paint store, and it is usually buried on a back shelf. Regular Polyurethane works just as well."

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 22, 2006 09:26pm | #2

   You might look at Waterlox original/sealer.  It's a varnish, of a consistency for wiping that can be applied not to build a thick film.  It provides as mellow gloss--not high gloss but a way long way from matte. 

3. 
   stantheman | Oct 23, 2006 12:18am | #3

   Second for Waterlox.

1. 
   Quickstep | Oct 28, 2006 02:10am | #4

   Steve and Stan,

   Thanks for turning me on to the Waterlox. I did a test piece. I wiped on 3 coats and after the 3rd coat dried I steel wooled it then a coat of wax. Looks great, feels great too. Thanks for the excellent tip.

4. 
   csacoe | Oct 29, 2006 01:36am | #5

   The Sam M. finish that I found goes like this;

   1/3 boiled linseed oil

   1/3 thinner

   1/3 poly varnish