Applying Tung Oil

[WillG]

Long time reader, first time poster.  I couldn't find any answers perusing the forums.

I recently made the TWW Kids Table and Chair set using Maple plywood.  I decided to use Woodcraft's 100% Pure Tung Oil to finish it since I wanted to experiment with the Tung Oil a little on a piece that was going to get crushed by my (soon-to-be) 2 year old son.  

Anyway....I applied 3-4 (I honestly don't remember) coats of 50/50 Tung Oil and Mineral Spirits a week ago.  The plywood is now slightly waxy feeling, slightly fuzzy in spots, and has an uneven sheen on the surface (as in some spots are shiny and others still dull).  My question, I guess, is do I continue the 50/50 application, go for 100% Tung oil now, or should I switch to a varnish to finish it off?

Thanks in advance. This is my first foray into pure oils, I've been a wiping varnish or Danish oil man until this point. 

[Ronn W]

Gald you decide to join the posters.  I am all for experimentation.   The oil soaks into the piece at different rates in different places.  Also the fact thet the veneer is so thin means that the species under the maple is also sucking up oil.  You may never get a finish that looks or feels even.  I would let the oil cure, really cure, for maybe a couple fo weeks, depending on conditions, and then use a polyurethane for the final coats.  Others will have more elegant explanations.

[WillG]

Ronn, won't the plywood eventually (key word I suppose) become saturated with the oil? Especially since I am finishing from both faces?

[drzaius]

3 hours ago, WillG said:

Ronn, won't the plywood eventually (key word I suppose) become saturated with the oil? Especially since I am finishing from both faces?

Not at all, & that's a good thing cause then it would never cure. Plywood veneers tend to be more porous than solid wood, but even so, I doubt it would go past the 1st glue line.

Any kind of penetrating oil finish needs to be completely cured before applying an additional coat. I'd do as @Ronn W says & let it cure for a few weeks before coating with poly. A thorough scrubbing with mineral spirits might speed things along by getting rid of some of the excess Tung oil.