Some things I have notice, reading cabinet man's forum, is that some members still have some misunderstandings concerning Tung Oil.
Tung Oil is NOT a good sealer against moisture, in fact it is only slightly better (if at all) than Linseed Oil. For reference,, I refer you to the report from 'Find Woodworking Magazine' May/June 87,, "Protecting Wood from Humidity". The Forest Products Laboratory, completed a test on 91 different finishes,, Tung Oil and Linseed Oil are right down there at the bottom. Now I realize that a test done 20 years ago is a bit dated, however I do not think any real improvements have been made to either of these two oils.
As to Behr's 600, my can states (if we can believe what is on the can) it is an mixture of Linseed Oil, Tung Oil and a wax, unless the wax is really wonderful, I also do not believe that the Behr 600 is a good moisture barrier. I do use Behr's 600 for many of my stocks, but only because of its ease of application and the way it makes the wood look. For my rifles that are outside a lot,, or the wood must be kept as stable as possible, I used spar varnish , I can not even find that any more, so now I use one of the oil based polyurethane with a rotten stone rub.
And BLO was never specified for use by the user of any US Rifle,, 03, M1, M1 or 2 carbine or M14 (up to 1980), If you can find any TR, TM or FM that states differently I would like to know its number and date. Now this this does not apply to what was initially applied at the arsenal or manufacture (but even here,, I think the only question is RLO or Tung Oil). I do not think any other oil than RLO was applied to the 03, or Carbines stocks, some China Oil (Tung Oil) was applied to the M1 and M14 stocks. How ever,, from what I have been able to read most of the M1 Rifle WWII production stocks got dipped in raw, not all,, but most. Post War, a mix of the two or one or the other or any thing elce, I am not really knowledgeable about post 1980 rifle production.
The US Military did not look up on RLO,, as a wood sealer but as a wood preserver, and for that and for the money,, RLO,, is not bad, not great, but not bad.
My impression is that most of you apply far too much of the RLO or straight Tung, and do not give it enough time to dry. Remember
instructions refer to 'drops' not a brush or oil soaked rag. Open the can, stick your left index finger into the oil, let one drop fall into your right
palm,(or two drops if the stock is very dry) and rub that into stock from the magazine well forward. Then do the same for the magazine well back. Rub, briskly
for at least an hour, then wipe with a clean, dry 100% cotton rag, and let the stock set for at least one week before the next application or before using.
Yes, I know the "once a day for a week, and so on rule, but it appears to me that too many people end up with gooey stocks when they follow that rule.
45B20
