Finishing Aspen

[Mark Stewart]

I want to put tung oil on a box made from aspen. Will it look good or are there other finishes that would be better. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Steve Schoene]

Yes, pure tung oil, (as opposed to Tung Oil Finish) can look good, but there are a lot easier ways to achieve a very similar look. BLO will darken a small amount more, but instead of the 3 days and sanding between each of the 5 or 6 coats required with tung oil, you can apply fresh coats after overnight curing, and probably wouldn't need more than 3 coats. If you try to rush tung oil you can end up with a "frosty" appearance.

Personally, however, I would use a oil/varnish mix, either homemade with equal parts of BLO, varnish, and thinner, or purchased in the form of something like Watco. You would be hard press to tell wood finished with this from tung oil finished wood, but the result will be more durable, and resist things like waterspotting better.

[Mark Stewart]

Thank you Steve!!!