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I work in a custom cabinet shop building mostly kitchens and entertainment centers. The owner recently had me build a Teak cabinet that will be installed by his pool. When we discussed finishes, I recommended marine varnish or even one of the new two part epoxy boat finishes. He insisted on tung oil.
I applied the oil the way I always have; brush it on and rub it down after it starts to tack up. He informed me I was doing it wrong and I was to brush it on then let it dry overnight and “sand” 0000 steel wool in the morning!
In my 15 years in the industry, including several repairing and re-creating Arts and Crafts style furniture, I have never applied an oil finish in this manner. Is this something new I havent heard of? Please advise.
Sam
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Sam,
Unfortuneatly, you don't own the shop. Personally, I feel that you were on the right track in the first place, with the spar varnish.
I also don't think that you applied it wrong. Using steel wool, IMHO, is not a good idea on a fairly open grain wood like Teak. It is nearly impossible to get all the steel wood fibres out and there could be potential for rust stains in the future.
His technique is not "wrong" either as many do use steel wool between finishes, I just don't recommend it.
I would advise that you do what he asks and let the matter drop, unless, of course, you plan on opening your own shop.
Dano
*Sam, I personally like to brush Tung Oil on and let it dry without wiping but I follow it up with fine sanding as I agree with Dano about the steel wool fibers. To each his own of course but it your case, its HIS cabinet so let HIM decide how he wants it finished and, let HIM worry about it down the road. BTW, I would have probably used the special teak oil made for teak (hence the name) as it is specialy formulated for the wood. He (your boss) should have known that if hes been in buisiness for a while.Mike
*Mike and Danno,Thanx for the info. Your both correct, he is "Big Chief" and I am "Little Warrior". I wouldnt have taken it this far if it werent for the fact that he has indicated that he wants to offer outdoor storage cabinets like this to our customers.I am always looking to learn new ways of doing things and I must admit, not having piles of oily rags do soak and dispose of would be nice. What are the other advantages?Thanks again
*Let me suggest one thing that follows on to Mike and Dano. If you live near a marina, you should be able to purchase "bronze wool" which can be used for rubbing a finish that will be outdoors. It will not stain the wood. Using a Scothpad of the correct level of abrasiveness is also an alternative.
*Garrett Wade also sells bronze wool.Dano
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