I have never used Tru-Oil but my best guess is that it is a highly refined boiled linseed oil with a dryer added.

I have used pure Tung Oil (from the Tung tree) for years, refinishing furniture and boats. I have used it on one of my cork handles with good results. It adds depth to burl cork and darkens it somewhat. It does takes days to really dry and not feel sticky to the touch. I like the look and feel once cured.

Can anyone here compare the two materials for me before I go spend more cash on this addiction?

Thanks in advance

Bob

Tru-Oil is a wiping varnish, a polymerized oil. It dries quickly and hard to the touch. Several coats will build depth and gloss.

Not at all similar to pure tung or other similar oils.

..............

Tru-Oil is a clear linseed oil based wiping varnish that has been used on things like guiters and gunstocks for years. As a child back in the 50's and 60's I can remenber seeing people using mutiple coats (so times up to 20) of it on gunstocks so the finish looked like clear water that you could put your finger into.
When compared to tung oil it is a lot clearer and dries a lot harder.
Not much use for it in rod building in my opinon, except my be finishing wood reel seat parts and other wood trim.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2007 11:43AM by Thomas Lyle.

Tru-oil is a good place to drop a little cash. Try it. You will probably like it. Whatever you do, do not believe the directions on the bottle. The secret for me is to put each coat on thin and let it dry between coats. I like the clarity of the finish it produces.

I like to use Tru-Oil on burl cork. I rub on 1 coat just for a little hi-light, and it soaks in. I do not like it on plain cork. Just my taste I guess.

When I use finish on cork or wood, I use Permalyn, which is similar to Tru-Oil, which I've used as well. I've donea few cork grips with Tung oil for comparisons and all I can say is that if you like Tung oil, you'll really like Tru Oil. You can get the same satin look and warmth in one day instead of a week, plus you can go very high gloss if you want to, as mentioned. You also get a very hard shell.

Robert: I build a lot of fine furniture and have used all kinds of oils, including tung oil for years.. I like tung oil the best. You can get tung oil to dry quicker if you will thin the first coat about 20% with turpentine. This will allow the thinned oil to penetrate quicker and deeper as well as drying faster. However, it is definitely true that pure tung oil does take longer to dry than other varnish based oils.
Harold