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Tipup sealant

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esox_xtm:

--- Quote from: Roccus on Nov 22, 2020, 04:27 PM ---Tung oil is a premium sealant, used for hundreds of years on sailing schooners.
I build salt water plugs for striped bass, have done so for 50 years, for many, many year I I used 60/40  BLO  and Turpentine,  about 15 years ago I went to Tung oil,  looking for something that would dry faster and be more durable, research sent me to tung oil, it is far superior and SAFER  than BLO  and Turps. Which can spontaneously combust if care is not taken...
I also build tip ups( I've done  a how to here on shanty on my Snow leopard tip ups), the wood is sealed with tung oul, then painted with marine grade polyurethane paint and then given 3 coats of marine spar varnish..

Not only are they beautiful,  they are extremely durable.

--- End quote ---

God bless you Roccus!  ;)2 :thumbsup:

Water Dog:
Hi guys, first post, long time lurker…. sorry for digging up an old thread.  I recently purchased a set of new unfinished Heritage Lakers.  I plan on stripping off the hardware and finishing the bare wood.  I got some pure Tung oil on the way.  My question is, for the first coat, should I dilute it 1:1with mineral spirits or just try to soak it out with the pure Tung oil, wipe off the excess and let it dry for a few weeks before applying the second coat?  Should I sand between coats?  Been reading a bunch of stuff online and it gets a bit overwhelming.  Appreciate any advice you may be able to provide on Tung oil application.  Thanks!

esox_xtm:
All my Tung oil experience is with furniture or gunstocks but I'd guess it's really all pretty much the same. I usually give the piece a good wipe down with a wet cloth (more than just damp) to raise the grain of the wood first. This opens up stuff so it's easier for whatever you apply next to soak in well. Allow to dry fully and apply your Tung oil fairly generously.

Tung oil is fairly thin already so I've never thinned it with anything. I do warm the bare wood up a bit before I apply either with a hot air gun or laying it on top of the space heater for a couple minutes. Or you can warm the oil a bit or both. Don't be shy with that first coat, bare wood will suck up a lot. I will keep wiping on until it just won't soak in anymore. Your eyes will tell you when you're there. Allow that coat to dry very well, at least a week or more depending on humidity. Give your piece a light sanding, clean thoroughly and apply a second coat. Let it dry again and apply more TO.

When treating bare wood for the first time you may be into at least three but more often 4 to 5 applications. If you want super smooth finish do a little light sanding between each coat. Allow to dry beyond tacky to the touch before you reapply. Also plan ahead to be finished with your finishing to give the item a few weeks to dry completely. One of the bonuses with Tung is is dries quite hard but is easy to touch up if required. Also you will find there are high gloss and low gloss products. Choose the one you favor, no real difference in performance that I have found. You can also apply one over the other if you change your mind.

Water Dog:
Your insight is much appreciated.  I bought pure Tung oil which is fairly thick and syrupy.  Sometimes they sell Tung oil blends with solvents already mixed in to make it easier to apply and dry.  I went ahead and bought some pure orange oil solvent to thin that first coat out at a 1:1 ratio.  I will heed your advice on the application process, proper drying  and light sanding between coats.  Thanks again!

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