How to Dry Tung Oil in Humid Conditions
- 1). Apply tung oil with a paintbrush or rag in several light coats. It takes a thin coat much less time to dry than a thick one. Several light applications over a span of a day can speed your overall drying time. Remember, though, that although after the first few coats much of the oil will be absorbed, after that, absorption will slow, and you will have to wait for the air to dry it.
- 2). Avoid slopping any excess tung oil on areas of the wood during the application process. This can lead to areas more resistant to drying in a humid environment. Let each coat dry for at least 24 hours before adding the next coat. Adding a new layer to still-wet oil can create areas of gooey texture. If you used a polymerized tung oil, a few coats should be all you'll need. If not, it may take a half-dozen or more coats of pure tung oil to get your wood surface to your desired sheen.
- 3). After enough coats have been added to produce a moderate sheen, you can promote the drying process by rubbing a rag in a circular motion over the wood surfaces, creating heat and stimulating the drying process. Alternate the rag with 0000 steel wool to augment shine and to promote adhesion with a new layer.
- 4). Be patient. Even though it will feel mostly dry after two or three days, WoodworkDetails.com advises that it can take as long as three weeks for furniture to truly dry when treated with tung oil. This improves with polymerization, but overall, it is a drawn-out process that will soon enough lead to furniture resistant to the elements of weather and wear.
- 5). Place your furniture being refinished in a covered but sunny area outside if humidity continues to be a problem and you can't bring the furniture inside. Point some fans at the table to promote drying.
- 6). Once you've shined a piece of furniture to your liking with steel wool and cloth, apply a thin final coat and leave it to dry untouched. Once that layer is dry, your furniture should be impervious to the weather.
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