[Woodcarver] another finish ques.?

[Larry Marshall]

> I carved a stylized roadrunner out of redwood. I have put 5 coats of tong oil and sanded after each coat with 600 grit paper. I can't seem to get a luster or shine on it. After the last coat I hand buffed it and still no deep luster or shine. This is the 1st time i've used tung oil. What am i doing wrong or am I expecting to much.    


It's possible that you're being caught by the vagaries of the 
mislabeling and misinformation that is the finishing industry.  If 
you're using 100% tung oil, you shouldn't expect to gain a gloss 
finish.  Tung oil will bring a depth and beauty to wood but not a 
gloss as, well, it's an oil, not a finish.

By contrast, products like Formby's Tung Oil Finish (the original 
deception) isn't just tung oil but rather an oil/varnish mix.  There 
are dozens of similar products.  Some are labelled 'danish oil', 
others with equally magical names.  But the addition of varnish to 
the 'mix' is what permits the gloss as the varnish will build on the 
surface.

-- 
Cheers --- Larry Marshall
Quebec City, Quebec
http://www.woodnbits.com
http://www.woodnbits.com/blog