Blackwood Kitchen bench with Tung - rough finish

[tung]

I've stripped a clear lacquer type finish from my blackwood kitchen bench and sanded it thoroughly finishing with 420grit.
Applied 4 coats of pure tung oil 50/50 with citrus thinner as per guides (very fine sand, liberal application of tung 50/50, re-apply to dry spots, thoroughly wipe off remaining oil, sit for at least 24hrs before next coat).

The one section of the bench that doesn't see any use (under a tray) is still smooth as silk and gorgeous looking.

The rest of the bench that is used and wiped down has become rough to the touch, particularly the areas with with small black bits of grain (as circled in the attached photo).

It's like water/use has penetrated those sections and raised them.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks!
Chris
Blackwood Bench w tung oil.JPG

[ubeaut]

Who's tung oil is it (manufacturer/brand)?

Where did you get the info about using it 50/50 with citrus thinner?

[tung]

Who's tung oil is it (manufacturer/brand)?

I purchased pure tung oil from:
http://www.thewoodworks.com.au

Where did you get the info about using it 50/50 with citrus thinner?

this page (and others):
http://www.tungoil.com.au/application-notes-tung-oil

Thanks

[Superbunny]

this page (and others):
http://www.tungoil.com.au/application-notes-tung-oil

Thanks

From my reading there is no mention of citrus thinner at all, only thinner and I would think they mean car paint type thinner.

SB

[LGS]

Hi,
Have a look here and here. Your Tung Oil worries will disappear. If you need more info, call me or send a PM.

Regards,

Rob

[Acco]

From my reading there is no mention of citrus thinner at all, only thinner and I would think they mean car paint type thinner.

SB

If you look at the home page under thinning it says citrus terpene

[Superbunny]

If you look at the home page under thinning it says citrus terpene

Yes right, tung's link did not take me to the home page silly me, next time I'll read the whole website so I don't miss anything as it seems just give any link page to answer the question to keep us guessing.

SB

[Lappa]

I've stripped a clear lacquer type finish from my blackwood kitchen bench and sanded it thoroughly finishing with 420grit.
Applied 4 coats of pure tung oil 50/50 with citrus thinner as per guides (very fine sand, liberal application of tung 50/50, re-apply to dry spots, thoroughly wipe off remaining oil, sit for at least 24hrs before next coat).

The one section of the bench that doesn't see any use (under a tray) is still smooth as silk and gorgeous looking.

The rest of the bench that is used and wiped down has become rough to the touch, particularly the areas with with small black bits of grain (as circled in the attached photo).

It's like water/use has penetrated those sections and raised them.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks!
Chris
Blackwood Bench w tung oil.JPG

I'm going down the same track with an outside table, so I've been researching. Lots of info but some conflicting The raised hairs, from what I have read, are normal on the first and maybe second coat. They say to sand down with fine paper or use 0000 steel wool. Should leave 5 or more days between coats - it's a loooooong process but worth it. I seem to remember the place you bought the Tung oil from had detailed instructions?

[ubeaut]

Don't use steel wool on blackwood. It will react with the tannin in the timber and may go almost black down the track. Not a good look.

[Lappa]

Don't use steel wool on blackwood. It will react with the tannin in the timber and may go almost black down the track. Not a good look.

What about on merbau? It too is tannin rich. My table frame work is merbau (has a jarrah inset) which I will be using Tung oil on.

Cheers

[mike100jobstodo]

You may need to re-sand your kitchen bench to remove the rough and grainy bits. Then you should finish the kitchen bench again. That should do the trick. If water has deeply penetrated the wood and raise them, then there is nothing much you can do about it.