Danish Oil

[woodyguy]

Like you I enjoy tung oil as a finish. The biggest drawback, apart from it not being very tough, is it taking several days for each layer to dry and several weeks to totally finish. I've been experimenting recently with adding setting agents like are added to make linseed oil "boiled". They are used in varnishes and printing industry and are generally cobalt salts. I bought a bottle from a printer supplier for £4 and you just add 1-2 drops to a bottle of the tung oil. It then polymerises in about a quarter the time of untreated oil but looks the same when its done. Certainly makes Tung oil a more usable finish for me as you can add a coat every few hours.

[Macpherson]

yep, I`Ve tried metallic driers, think the make is blackfriars, with some success, I also once met a cabinet maker who made his own natural varnish which was a mix of tung oil, his own varnish made from pine resin mixed with real turps and a touch of citrus oil, lovely stuff , i experimented with it and thought it was good as a top coat, as you said "a wiping varnish" but it had to be thin an ye had to be real quick. cheers

[woodyguy]

Great to discover someone as keen to try out things as I am. Not tried making my own varnish but perhaps that's next. Getting on well with old fashioned phenolic varnish which makes a nice wiping varnish with tung oil.