Many years ago when I started dabbling in woodworking I was soon confronted with a problem. I had constructed an end table, and then hit the what-now question. That led to a finishing class and somebody recommended Constantines Tung Oil Varnish (the class was at Constantines, in the Bronx in NYC….perhaps that had something to do with it). I was pleased with the results, and for years I used the stuff on everything I made. Eventually I discovered Tried and True and have used that on all my projects for several years (…and I don’t care what any body says, I think it is great).
Constantines has long closed its Bronx operation, my stock of the T.O. Varnish is long gone. Their Florida location does not sell the stuff currently. I have some mahogany tables made 15 years ago that could really use a coat or two to rejuvenate them. Being that the original “Constantines Tung Oil Varnish” is not sold any more, what might I use on top of the existing finish? I really prefer not to have to strip the old finish, and switching to a new finish does not seem a great idea.
I reasoned that they could not possibly be making the finish and were simply branding somebody else’s product. So I called them and asked if they would be kind enough to tell me. So far no one there could tell me that, and it was suggested that the closest from their current line up is “McCloskey”.
I would welcome suggestions on a suitable course of action.
Replies
Waterlox. I like it a lot. A modified tung oil product. Wipe it or brush it.
I love Waterlox....use it a lot. Just wish it had a longer shelf life. I find myself thinking of projects to do just so I can use what I have before it becomes like molasses in Jan in NHWicked Decent Woodworks
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
I've been happy with the results I've been getting using McCloskey's heirloom varnish. I look for non-poly varnishes without added driers. I use this in an oil/varnish mix for a wipe on finish. works great.
I have used Waterlox over the last couple of years. Initially I was pleased with the outcome. However, my interest in it has waned. Some of the pieces I finished with it don't really look/feel nice relative to the stuff I used to use, to my eye.
I'll give McCloskey's a shot.
Still hoping someone can shed light on the specific product I was using for years (see first post in this thread).
I never used the Constantine; but I had the same sad experience with Gillespie, which I loved; it's gone now, too. What I did (weird, I know, but it worked) was compare the smell of that product to the smell of new products. The tung oil varnish that I found closest was Behr Scandanavian Tung Oil Finish. Works very much the same way as the Gillespie's except the G darkened the wood more. The new stuff imparts no color at all as far as I can tell. But the smell was almost identical, and the behavior is very much the same; maybe the same method will work for you, if you remember the smell.
Charlie
Your point on smell is well taken. I can see how it has a high likelihood of hitting a match or near match. As I recall smell is the most sensitive of our basic senses. Regretfully, in my case the smell of the stuff is a distant memory, and no samples left. On the point of smell, one of the reasons I like my current favorite T&T is the smell - it is pleasing. Thanks for your help.
How about if you add a layer of dewaxed shellac--sticks to anything, anything sticks to it--and then use the Tried and True?CharlieI tell you, we are here to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different. --K Vonnegut
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