[Woodcarver] Staining / Tung oil Question

[Ramsey]

Something I've tried with limited success is to use a 50/50 mixture 
of lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol.  I brush it on and let it 
sit for a few minutes until the tung oil softens and then wipe with a 
rag or steel wool it off and then wipe with a rag. Repeat until the 
wood is clean of the tung oil.  Make sure you use good gloves and do 
it in a well ventilated area away from sparks or any heat source as 
the mixture is extremely flammable and the fumes are toxic.  This 
will only work if the tung oil has not penetrated too deeply into the 
grain of the wood.  If a substantial amount of oil has penetrated 
into the end grain, this solution might make things worse because the 
stain will take unevenly.  If your goal is to apply a darker stain, 
what I do in this situation, is to apply the stain in a thin mist 
with an airbrush so that it sits on the surface.  This will give the 
whole piece a stained appearance but will not accentuate the grain 
like normal staining does. This takes some practice to get an even 
look to the stain. If you decide to go this route, do a lot of 
testing on some sample pieces of wood.  You will have to overcoat the 
stain so that it will not wipe off.  It is necessary to spray the 
overcoat because the brushing can cause the stain to smear. 
Peferably, use a water base overcoat because an oil base can cause 
the stain soften and run.  Do not use Deft or other lacquer based 
products.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


<Is it possible to use (minwax) stain on something that has
<already been coated with Formby's tung oil?

<Thanks!!!
-- 
Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


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