Tru-oil or Tung oil?

[Tinman]

I am in the process of refinishing a rifle stock. Got it stripped and sanded. Now I am ready to finish the wood. I have read about tru-oil, tung oil and just using a wood stain. Any recommendations or advice? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[S&W Fan]

Tung oil will give you a nice even satin finish while tru oil will give you a more glossy finish.

 

[IrishMick]

Do be aware that many Tung Oil products are mostly Varnish or Urethane products labeled as Tung Oil.

 

[Tinman]

Thanks to both of you.

 

[S&W Fan]

Do be aware that many Tung Oil products are mostly Varnish or Urethane products labeled as Tung Oil.

True, and for what he’s looking to do ,those will work fine . Using pure tung oil is a long drawn out process. Great results , but laborious.
multiple coats of a good wiping varnish will be just as nice.

 

[Acer-m14]

ask @Robin

I am in the process of refinishing a rifle stock. Got it stripped and sanded. Now I am ready to finish the wood. I have read about tru-oil, tung oil and just using a wood stain. Any recommendations or advice? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Touch bases with Rockler on Transit Road. They run the full spectrum of wood finishing fine liquids and are decently knowledgeable.

Spoiler alert. Rob of the former Gun Center took a job there. Pretty decent woodworking knowledge.

 

[MuttCat]

One trick I've used on old beater walnut stocks is to steam out scratches and dings, sand down to clean bare wood, and then literally paint the stock with a dark walnut dye...turn it black. Then I sand all that off, 220 then 400. Then no more dye or stain, just oil, whatever you like.
I've also top coated with gloss laquer. The dye brings figure you would never know was there.

 

[Bustedknees]

Boiled linseed oil.
Also labor intensive, but very pretty.

 

[fresch]

Boiled linseed oil.
Also labor intensive, but very pretty.

Keep your trash, rags, in metal as it is self combustible.

 

[Tinman]

Touch bases with Rockler on Transit Road. They run the full spectrum of wood finishing fine liquids and are decently knowledgeable.

Spoiler alert. Rob of the former Gun Center took a job there. Pretty decent woodworking knowledge.

Thanks. I will be up that today.

 

[Mosinitis]

I used true oil to refinish a few stocks. It's gun stock specific wood finish. It's advantage is you need fewer coats to do the job. It has shown to be durable, resistant to gun oils and sweat.

 

[Mosinitis]

If you are going to use True Oil. Make sure after opening the seal, you store the bottle upside down, so the film which will form on top over time will be at the bottom next time you use it.

 

[CaseHardened]

Since my childhood I have been told

OILY RAGS START FIRES

For the most part, this is fantasy - EXCEPT...

When the Oil is an Oxidating Oil, such as LINSEED OIL.

I my first apartment, nearly fifty years ago, I was oiling a Teak Dining Room table, with Linseed Oil and Paper Towels.

I was tired, but still decided, wisely, to throw the used Paper Towels in the Dumpster outside.

Minutes later I heard Fire Engines; the Dumpster was ablaze.

Years later I chose to recreate this scenario by taking some Paper Towels, dampening them with Linseed, and setting them in my driveway.

Within minutes they were on fire.

Please be extremely cautious with this very real, but rarely recognised danger.

 

[CaseHardened]

Linseed Oil Can Be A Fire Hazard—What You Need To Know To Stay Safe

 

[Tinman]

Thank you very much. I will not be using linseed oil, only pure 100% tung oil.

 

[CaseHardened]

Thank you very much. I will not be using linseed oil, only pure 100% ting oil.

I would try a Paper Towel dampened with it, set in the driveway, anyways.

I simply do not know which oils are safe or not.

Other than Linseed.

And definitely get any towels or rags outdoors right away. Just in case.

Usually these days I soak them before I put any in the trash.

 

[tony]

I like and use Tru-oil. Dries fast and you can apply multiple coats in one day. I usually apply at least 6-8 coats. If you don't like the sheen when dry a little wipe with 4/0 steel wool and a coat of Johnsons paste floor wax and I'm done.

 

[Robin]

I guess it would depend on what you are trying to accomplish. A lot of guy's that make the guns that I make use Tru-oil, a linseed oil based varnish, and they are very happy with it. Over the years I have experimented with making many different varnishes, both linseed oil and tung oil based, they all dry into a hard shine and with use, soften to a very pleasant sheen. Do not use varnish with satin type finish, they contain silicas that mute the beauty of the wood.
For about the last ten or twelve years I have been using-

It is all natural, durable, and finishes out very nice. I use my fingers for application. Closest thing to the varnishes I used to make .
Good luck!
Robin

 

[Tinman]

Put the first coat of Tung oil cut with mineral spirits. I have let it cure for week. Just put the second coat of pure Tung oil on it today. Will let dry for 24 hours and keep doing it. I will post before and after pictures when it is finished.

 

[Robin]

If you can, hang it in the sun. That speeds things up considerably.
Robin