Tung Oil Help

Outdoor Gear Dad

Outdoor Gear Dad

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Jun 1, 2019
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Alrighty, so been reading from different people on here about Tung Oil. Gave it a shot and it’s amazing! But I’m wondering if my ignorance is causing a couple problems....not really problems just minor issues that I’m sure are a result of me not doing it right.

So when the handle is done, I coat the handle, tang and all (full tang blade). Let it dry, then buff, then repeat until I get the finish I want. However the dried oil is a real pain to get off the tang and the pins. I have to take a Q-tip and use acetone to get it off.

So what’s the progression here...should I be trying to keep it off the tang and pins? Do I let it fully dry or should I be buffing when it’s still sticky.

can y’all let me know your process for using tung oil? Thanks!
 
First off what is the exact product you are using, tung oil is used as a marketing term in woodworking finishes, pure tung oil won’t have anything but oil in it and you’d need to cut or thin the oil with mineral spirits or turpentine to get it thinner, you could soak the entire blade and handle in pure tung oil that’s thinner out and when you take it out and wipe everything dry you shouldn’t have a residue it should pretty much all buff off. If your using a tung oil finish from day a company like minwax it’s actually a wiping varnish and does not behave like tung oil at all so it’s a whole different process, in a cause with a wiping varnish it has a resin mixed in that will harden and form a film that would be difficult to get off of it got somewhere you didn’t want. I wouldn’t recommend a wiping varnish on anything but a show piece as they get gummy or wear over time with use. With a pure oil finish it’s just saturating the wood and can be renewed easily at any point by applying some more oil, With a varnish you need to scuff the piece and make sure you get good adhesion between coats.
 
Joshua Fisher said:
First off what is the exact product you are using, tung oil is used as a marketing term in woodworking finishes, pure tung oil won’t have anything but oil in it and you’d need to cut or thin the oil with mineral spirits or turpentine to get it thinner, you could soak the entire blade and handle in pure tung oil that’s thinner out and when you take it out and wipe everything dry you shouldn’t have a residue it should pretty much all buff off. If your using a tung oil finish from day a company like minwax it’s actually a wiping varnish and does not behave like tung oil at all so it’s a whole different process, in a cause with a wiping varnish it has a resin mixed in that will harden and form a film that would be difficult to get off of it got somewhere you didn’t want. I wouldn’t recommend a wiping varnish on anything but a show piece as they get gummy or wear over time with use. With a pure oil finish it’s just saturating the wood and can be renewed easily at any point by applying some more oil, With a varnish you need to scuff the piece and make sure you get good adhesion between coats.
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See, did not know any of that. I am using minwax which would explain the film. So you are saying use a lure tung oil. Any specific brand you would recommend?
 
Wood river pure tung oil, you. Can get it at woodcraft supply or online, mix 50/50 with thinner, get enough to just fill a big container and submerge the entire blade and handle the oil won’t hurt the metal, let it sit over night then pull out the next morning buff dry then put on a drying rack, give it a few hours then you can buff the handle with 0000 steel wool then repeat the soaking buffing polish until the handle looks the way you want it. Then if there is even a slight residue on the blade take the same thinner your using and wipe the blade down, but if done right it shouldn’t have a residue and the oil helps the blade from rusting right away if you are using carbon steel.
 
And toss the minwax away, they make mediocre finishes at best and not something I’d use on a knife handle that gets high use.
 
I tend to only let it sit for about 30 minutes and then hand buff off. I do this a few times and it’s been a good finish. These are also the instructions on the can (it is pure tung oil).

I’ve found that when I let it dry overnight, the areas that aren’t absorbed can become sticky and difficult to get off.
 
Joshua Fisher said:
And toss the minwax away, they make mediocre finishes at best and not something I’d use on a knife handle that gets high use.
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Would something like these work:

Klean Strip Odorless Mineral Spirits 1 Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R3C7BMS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_t6xSFb9385FXQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

100% Pure Tung Oil Finish Wood Stain & Natural Sealer for All Types of Wood (32 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N7KZ3H5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_M4xSFbT27317T
 
Cliff Carter Knives said:
I tend to only let it sit for about 30 minutes and then hand buff off. I do this a few times and it’s been a good finish. These are also the instructions on the can (it is pure tung oil).

I’ve found that when I let it dry overnight, the areas that aren’t absorbed can become sticky and difficult to get off.
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If you wipe on a coat and don’t wipe it off then yes it will be sticky, I’m talking about leaving a piece submerged in oil, I’ve found for small items that’s the best way to finish it because you get a better saturation of oil. If it’s submerged it will not leave a sticky residue once you pull it out and buff it dry.
 
Outdoor Gear Dad said:
Would something like these work:

Klean Strip Odorless Mineral Spirits 1 Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R3C7BMS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_t6xSFb9385FXQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

100% Pure Tung Oil Finish Wood Stain & Natural Sealer for All Types of Wood (32 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N7KZ3H5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_M4xSFbT27317T
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The mineral spirits will work, I recommend this product, I’ve handled it in person and used it personally and can say with absolute certainty it has nothing but the raw oil. A lot of times with companies say tung oil finish it has other things in it. I’d rather mix the finish myself and know what’s in it.
https://www.amazon.com/WoodRiver-Pu...+tung+oil&qid=1605468259&s=hpc&sr=1-1-catcorr
 
The important part for any of these is that you give a heavy coat however you do it then after giving it a few minutes to absorb (whatever instructions say) you wipe off the excess. On the metal that will mean it wipes off all of it. Repeat that process until you like the look.
 
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