Peter Anderson Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 When applying the second coat of Lee Valley polymerized Tung Oil Sealer on a Cherry Table i'm working on, I noticed there were little clear dots on the surface. I couldn't rub them out so I continued with the second coat hoping that when I wiped off the excess these dots would disappear. Nope. Any advise ? I did rub the surface after each coat to get the access off. and 2nd and 3rd rub downs after each coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I'm reiterating to make sure I have it correct - you're in the process of applying a Tung Oil *Sealer* which means you've already applied the Tung Oil? Or is this a polymerized sealer that contains Tung Oil? And, in either case, you're doing the second coat, correct? What this says to me, in either case, is that you didn't allow enough time between coats for the 1st coat to properly absorb and dry. The dots you're seeing, in my opinion, is off-gassing from your first coat. Oil finishes need to be thoroughly dry in or for the inherent gases to vaporize or they will show up as bubbles under subsequent coats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Maybe it's just me. But I don't understand the use of Tung oil. It's smelly, takes forever to be fully dry, doesn't give a better finish than say, Danish oil, with a poly top coat and a couple of other oil finishes, that all dry quicker and the smell is not as nasty. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Anderson Posted March 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Byrdie : That is a good explanation, that could vary well be it. Since posting above I have Sanded/scrubbed the top with extra fine steel wool to remove the clear dots will will give it one last coat of tung oil and will leave it for 48 hours before it gets the polyurethane. RichardA: There is many opinions on which oil to use, however this is the one that was chosen. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Life is like Gravity................it sucks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Anderson Posted March 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Thanks for help guys. Oh and this Cherry I'm working with turns out to have Bird's Eyes in it. Never heard of it before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 It happens in most all wood. Ya just never know when you'll find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Peter, @RichardA is right, which by the way, doesn’t happen frequently ! And you are as well. In the future, check out other finishes and I think you will be pleased at the options. Would like to see your project when finished. Welcome to the forum. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 27 minutes ago, Peter Anderson said: Byrdie : That is a good explanation, that could vary well be it. Since posting above I have Sanded/scrubbed the top with extra fine steel wool to remove the clear dots will will give it one last coat of tung oil and will leave it for 48 hours before it gets the polyurethane. RichardA: There is many opinions on which oil to use, however this is the one that was chosen. lol If you can afford the time, give it at least a week before top coating with poly. True oil finishes may dry to the touch in a day or so, but require much longer to fully cure. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 What he said. 24 hours is nowhere near long enough to topcoat an oil based finish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Anderson Posted March 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Good to know guys, I'll have to learn to be more patient I guess. Thanks for all our assistance. I'll try to get some pictures up, when complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 7, 2019 Report Share Posted March 7, 2019 Coincidentally, there was a question regarding tung oil in one of the mags that I received this month regarding the dry time and to avoid it . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Byrdie Posted March 7, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2019 I've never used tung oil and have avoided oil based in general. Love me some shellac however! It doesn't really build layers but each new application becomes part of the previous. It dries quickly and some interesting things can be done with it in terms of color or lack there of. Then I typically like wax for a top coat. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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