Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/21/2007

Question
Hi Eileen:  I followed your instructions for touching up my old oak cabinets.  I scrubbed thoroughly with TSP/steel wool...waited one night, put a coat of Minwax (same color as oak cabinets)...waited 48 hours, then put one coat of 100% Tung oil on.  Problem:  My cabinets still look "dead" and almost splotshy in some areas.  This has been a real pain in the "you know what!"  Can I apply anything on top of the tung oil to give them more of a shine...say polyurethane?

Thanks,
Carol

Answer
Hi Carol
Nice to hear from you.
You can certainly apply several coats of tung oil if you think its necessary.
Was the finish on the cabinets badly worn?
This could account for the splotshy look. (Carol thats a word only another woman knows the meaning of LOL )
And you can certainly switch to a high gloss tung oil if you prefer a high shine.
I have never added poly over tung oil. I suspect it would need some sanding prior to doing it, but they are both oil based products so who knows.
And use the Circa 1850 brand tung oil.
http://www.keenans.ca/Paint%20Product%20Pages/circa_1850.htm
Its the third item down on the page.
I have never used another kind. And it will be ok to switch brands at this point too.
Get back to me.
Kindest Regards
Eileen