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Expert: - 10/7/2010


Question
What is tung oil? I noticed in a previous answer that this was applied in 3 coats over the stain. I have stripped and stained the chairs but I'm not sure if I need to put another kind of finish over that. They look fine now with just the stain but will it come off if I don't put anything else on over it?

Answer
Tung oil is a penetrating resin that hardens like a varnish...in fact many varnishes contain "long oils" like Tung, Linseed and the like....stain alone will not be very durable. Oil finishes are easy to apply, and easy to maintain, as you can simplky clean and re=apply another coat. They need to be applied thinly, you brush it on...let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off well, leaving a thin film. Multiple coats will 'build' to a nice luster...Waterlox is my favorite Modified Tung oil product...and the website has answers to ALL your questions.....you can use many different finishes on your chairs, you could even just paste wax them....but something like Waterlox, polyurethane, will offer much better protection and durability.Poke around on their website....Hope that helps- post back if need be- Greg

http://www.waterlox.com/about/

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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