Tru Oil coats...?

Paul/KS · September 17, 2009, 03:59:00 PM

I'm finishing up an osage selfbow and using Tru Oil for the first time. How many coats should I put on?
I usually use tung oil and rub in at least 6-8 coats but this Tru Oil seems thicker and the first coat looked pretty good. Seems like good stuff...

formerbutcher · September 17, 2009, 04:10:00 PM

I usally go with about 6 thin coats. 0000 steel wool in between coats.

Dano · September 17, 2009, 05:13:00 PM

I put on about six coats too, the first two get sanded with 320 grit paper, steel wool between coats and I finish up with two coats of Defthane satin spray.

Paul/KS · September 17, 2009, 05:21:00 PM

Thanks Dano,
6 seems to be the magic number then...Thanks guys.

I'll buff with 4-0 steel wool between coats same as with tung oil. This stuff seems to dry faster after application so I'll get a coat on tonight after work and then one on tomorrow before work...etc.

"Shift work..." :rolleyes:

TheFatboy · September 17, 2009, 05:22:00 PM

Yeah, don't forget that Tru-Oil dries extremely fast. Atleast it did so for me. So ya gotta be quick!

Dano · September 17, 2009, 05:29:00 PM

Your welcome Paul, like Fatboy said it dries fast, you gotta keep a wet edge.

scrub-buster · September 17, 2009, 07:34:00 PM

What is the best way to put it on with? I just bought my first bottle of Tru-oil.

Dano · September 17, 2009, 07:37:00 PM

Put it on with your index finger, it makes it easier if you pour some in a shallow cup, and then pour whats left over back in the bottle. Put it on thin, the stuff runs easy.

Pat B · September 17, 2009, 11:56:00 PM

I use 4 to 6 coats, depending on the coverage and like Dano use satin poly over the last coat to cut the shine. Also like Dano I pour it into a shallow container(bottle or jar cap) while applying it but unlike Dano I pour only enough for the job then discard any left overs. I believe once it hits the air it begins curing and I want to keep whats in the bottle fresh. I also store it on it's cap to extent the shelf life.

BWD · September 18, 2009, 12:49:00 AM

If you don't store it up side down, it will eventually develop a crust. When you break the crust, you start to get little crunchies that do not bode well for a smooth finish.

scrub-buster · September 18, 2009, 06:17:00 AM

How far does one small bottle go? How many bows will it do?

gmc · September 19, 2009, 08:01:00 PM

Pat B · September 19, 2009, 09:40:00 PM

You can finish many bows with a small bottle of Tru-Oil. Generally I throw out a bottle before I use it all up because it has begun to get lumpy after a long while.