Thread: what finish to use for spotted gum?

Tung oil is good. It may be best not to apply it in thick coats, but to brush on and then wipe off the excess with an old T shirt in a couple of minutes. Some eucalypts prefer that treatment, when the oil does not soak in straight away, wiping prevents a build up but still looks good. Try and see.

Have a look through https://www.woodworkforums.com/f40/wa...project-75823/ thread, he posted in your other thread and the finish he acheived is fantastic.

Thanks for the advice, although I am totally in awe of Waldo's huge project, it doesn't say specifically what he used. My son also says we won't be able to use oil if it has to cure for 2 weeks, as he won't be finished. is there anything else we could look at?

It doesn't take two weeks. A thin coat as I described will dry in hours.

FW Floor Seal is not only tung oil, it is blended with polyurethane and should not be applied as an oil would. I have used it on many pieces of furniture and it has excellent durability but it can be tricky to apply. You might find it easiest to dilute it 20% with turps and the first coat can be brushed on but after a light sand, I prefer to do subsequent coats by ragging it on. You must work quickly and maintain a wet edge and partially overlapping looping application pattern. (second and third coats you want too use long overlapping strokes with the grain) If you see any imperfections or missed areas in the work do not be tempted to sort them out. Leave it until it dries and sort it out at the next coat. You need to leave at least 24 hours between coats especially at this time of year, although you may get away with 12hours after the first coat. FW Scandinavian oil is also good, is easier to apply, but takes a little longer to get a build on the finish.

Thank you so much for the advice - I think he will manage to do that, and thanks for the detail! I will post photos when it is done. Cathy

Originally Posted by cathynemo

Thanks for the advice, although I am totally in awe of Waldo's huge project, it doesn't say specifically what he used. My son also says we won't be able to use oil if it has to cure for 2 weeks, as he won't be finished. is there anything else we could look at?

Waldo used the Maloof finish.

This thread has a bit of info on it.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f9/who...ixture-147819/

I like using Kunos Oil, made by Livos Australia.

Easy to use, great results. Not cheap though, but the best 'oil' finish I've used.

Newsletters - Livos Australia

You could always try hard burnishing oil from organ oil. You could do a finish in about a day with a satin look

Penetrol Wood Oil is another option. I have used it on bush furniture and it is still holding up well after 16 years. Easy to apply but the only downside is that it can go jellyfied in the can and has to be decanted into a small jar as it gets used as the air within sends it to jelly.