Can Shellac be applied over tung oil?

Asked by: Jay Reeder

Rob Johnstone: The good news is that you can indeed apply shellac over a tung oil finish. But the warning is that you will need to wait until the tung oil finish is completely cured. That will take at least a week or so to be sure.

What finish can you put over tung oil?

What finish can be applied over Tung oil? You can seal dried Tung oil with finishes like wipe-on poly or spar varnish, shellac, lacquer, and even wax –carnauba wax or beeswax.

Should you oil wood before shellac?

First, A Bit of Oil



Apply just enough to darken the wood and then wipe off any excess. When applied sparingly, the linseed oil will simply cure under the following coats of shellac and varnish. I like the way it brings out a beautiful, warm color in most woods.

Can you seal over tung oil?

Woodworking Expert – Michael Dresdner: “Yes, I would put a coat or two of oil-based polyurethane on for more durability, and it is fully compatible over the dried tung oil (or linseed oil, or any other drying oil for that matter.)

How do you polish tung oil finish?

So each coat needs to dry about six hours and then I scuff sand with an abrasive finishing pad to knock off the dust nibs. I like these pads for the task. Because they don't clog up like sandpaper.

Can you mix shellac and linseed oil?

For a home-brew finish, mix equal parts of shellac, denatured alcohol, and boiled linseed oil.

Can you shellac over BLO?

The BLO doesn’t need to penetrate that deep. You can basically moisten a rag with it, wipe it on fairly wet, then try to wipe most of it off. Done this way, you can get to shellacking later that day. The BLO will be dry, or will dry through the shellac, especially if your first couple shellac applications are thinned.

Does tung oil get glossy?

As the name suggests, the pure tung oil is free of additives and distillates, meaning it doesn’t create a glossy or heavy finish. Pure tung oil dries to a honey color.

How many coats of tung oil should be used?

While there are many advantages to using it, pure tung oil takes two to three days to harden, and needs at least five coats.

Does tung oil make wood shiny?

Pure Tung oil gives off a deep, rich, matte-like finish. It really accentuates the grain patterns and adds depth to your wood’s surface. Polymerized produces a more shiny, reflective surface.

Does tung oil harden wood?

Tung oil is designed to harden the surface and to give protection for the wooden surface. The top layer of Tung oil isn’t compatible with wood stain. Therefore, the wood stain will not penetrate through Tung oil. There’re is no use of staining wood after Tung oil is applied.

How long does tung oil last on wood?

Every six months (or as needed) just dress the guitar with a light coat. It will continue to interact with the wood, and should last the life of the instrument. The result of a tung finish is a beautiful natural wood finish.

Can lacquer be applied over tung oil?

The short answer is “Yes, if it’s the right oil, and you let it dry first.”

Can you shellac over Danish oil?

Shellac over Danish oil should be no sweat. It’s a great finish and easy to apply (if you know the secret handshake).

Can I varnish over oiled wood?

Compatibility. In most cases, you can safely apply varnish over an oiled piece of wood because the varnish contains oil, as well. Water-based varnishes are an exception to this rule. Look for an oil-based varnish, and read the package directions to ensure that it is compatible with an oil finish.

How long does tung oil need to dry before applying polyurethane?

Waiting a minimum of 7-10 days before using the surface is recommended. This water-resistant sealer offers a polymerized finish achieved without additives or distillates to speed up the process.

Can I put water based polyurethane over tung oil?

Yes. Apply a thin coat of de-waxed shellac in between. It is the universal in-between coat.

Can you wax over tung oil?

Yes, Feed-N-Wax is compatible with all cured (fully dry) clear coat finishes including; tung oil finish, polyurethane finish, varnish, and lacquer wood finishes. Feed-N-Wax adds a protective coating of beeswax and carnauba wax that helps prolong the life of the finish.

Can you put polycrylic over tung oil?

re: Polycrylic over Tung Oil



DON’T DO IT! I’m not sure I understand your question- if you’re asking if it’s alright to put polycrylic on top of a pre-existing tung oil finish, the answer is no. Tung oil is a lipid-based finish, the polycrylic is water-based. You’ll be setting yourself up for a disaster.

Is Watco tung oil pure tung oil?

Is watco tung oil 100% tung oil or a blend of oils? Answer: This is a blend of oils and it also contains “dryers” that allow the Tung oil to dry quicker. This is NOT pure Tung oil.

Can you apply Danish oil over tung oil?

There are a lot of products labeled as such, but there is no “standard” that manufacturers have to adhere to in calling their products an “oil” finish. Your polymerized tung oil product over a cured Watco Danish Oil , a boiled linseed oil finish or pure tung oil finish would probably be OK.

How long does it take for Minwax tung oil finish to dry?

about 24 hours

Minwax Tung oil takes about 24 hours to dry enough and be ready for recoating. Remember to buff excess product from the surface using a clean, lint-free cloth after about 5-10 minutes of application.

Will mineral spirits remove tung oil?

Mineral spirits only soften sticky tung oil and make it easy to be removed. So it’s not as effective as turpentine is. The best solvent to remove tung oil is turpentine as well as naphtha and xylene. Use whichever of these is available to you.

Is Minwax tung oil pure tung oil?

Minwax tung oil finish is NOT tung oil. In fact, it has no tung oil in it. That Minwax garbage acts more like a varnish.