oil over a sealer

[Wells Jacobson]

Is it ever reasonable to use a penetrating oil (walnut or BLO) on a turning that has been sealed with a sanding sealer or shellac? I thinkI have read of people doing it but I have a hard time understanding how it makes sense. Also, it makes sense to me to use a "tung oil finish" (mineral spirits + varnish) in this situation and not one of the "tung oil finishes" (mineral spirits + varnish + oil). Am I on track or off base?
thanks.

[Scott Holmes]

On your first question/statement I agree it makes no sense trying to put a penetrating oil on sealed wood.

On the next point I think you may have a few terms confused. Tung oil finish is a term used by a few manufactures. Some are as you stated MS and varnish (really a wiping varnish) The next one, MS + varnish + oil iis really an oil/varnish blend aka Danish oil. Most don't even have real tung oil in the mix.

A wiping varnish is fine over a sealed wood; an oil/varnish blend is not a good choice.

[Howard Acheson]

Hey Scott, Happy New Year.

I see that Steve has gotten his website up and running. It's got all the old goodies. I hope Steve elects to participate regularly on Wood or here.

[Wells Jacobson]

Thank you, Scott.

[Jim Becker]

Wells, in general, using an oil over a sealer isn't going to very workable. That said, in the turning world, you can sometimes use the friction of the moving workpiece to "cure" the oil product as you apply it. The heat from the friction helps things along...