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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: arrowlauncherdj on June 30, 2015, 10:30:00 AM

Title: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: arrowlauncherdj on June 30, 2015, 10:30:00 AM
Hey guys do yall know if you can use tung oil for a finish and if so, can you spray poly over it if you want after?
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: macbow on June 30, 2015, 10:35:00 AM
Yes
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: Pat B on June 30, 2015, 11:45:00 AM
yes, yes!
 I user Tru-Oil on all my bows and spray satin poly over the hunting bows to cut the shine.
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: Krasus on June 30, 2015, 12:46:00 PM
Sure can. Looks sick.  Only thing I would recommend is used some wood conditioner first. Then tung oil then poly.
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: Pat B on June 30, 2015, 01:22:00 PM
Oops, I misread your post. I've never used tung oil . I do think it has a longish drying time so you would need to wait for it to dry before adding the poly over it.
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: arrowlauncherdj on June 30, 2015, 03:16:00 PM
I used it on a Knife handle and it worked pretty good and not too shiny. Should I steel wool buff between coats or just let it dry and repeat ?
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 30, 2015, 03:22:00 PM
My favorite way to make a wood bow look its best is by wiping on 2 coats of shellac, then wipe on 4-6 coats of tung oil, then apply at least 2-3 coats of Johnsons Paste Wax. You will love the way it looks, feels and performs. It does take several days, but so worth it to me if that's the look Im after.
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: Sparky Buckwheat on June 30, 2015, 05:35:00 PM
Be aware that not all "tung oil" is actually 100% tung oil.  True non-polymerised tung oil takes a long time to apply the multiple coats but it has a beautiful finish as you build up coats.  I use minwax tung oil finish as well, which i have been told may not have any tung oil in it.  It works well for me but it is not the same thing.   Dont use tung oil on oily woods as it may never dry.  Not sure about finishes over top as I like the way it looks by itself!  If you want to make the wood look good, then put a finish over top, I would consider trying shellac.  Just my 1.5 cents
SB
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: JamesV on June 30, 2015, 08:49:00 PM
I could never get an even finish with tung oil on a bow. Not to waste a partial can of tung oil I finished several dozen arrows with it. All the feathers fell off, never again.

James
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: Carpdaddy on June 30, 2015, 11:13:00 PM
Never used Tung oil but use Tru oil on all my risers. I would think you could though.
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: Elison on July 02, 2015, 02:16:00 PM
I have been used tung oil in tradictional bows ( without fiberglass ) and like it very much.
It's not very shining.

Here an example, these bow I used only tung oil:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBOYQZGsx9Q
Title: Re: Tung oil for a finish?
Post by: slowbowjoe on July 08, 2015, 07:51:00 PM
Haven't used it on a bow, but I have been using tung oil as the sealant for my last several dozen (three years or so) arrows.
Never had a problem with losing feathers; may be a compatibility issue with glues, but can't say.

The instructions for using the oil say don't sand between coats, and so I'd think not to sand either. I don't need to on arrows.

It is surprisingly durable on the arrows; I usually go with 3 or 4 coats.