Original Formula

INTERIOR POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL

There are few finishing products on the market today that equal the beauty and ease of application that is characteristic of the Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® complete line of Polymerized Tung Oil products. The development of these products has spanned the entire thirty year finishing career of Frank Welles, founder and president of the company. It is a company with a unique founder that has developed a sophisticated line of products, all formulated with Polymerized Tung Oil as their primary ingredient.

TUNG OIL VERSUS OTHER FINISHES

In recent years, those who appreciate the warm richness of beautiful wood have begun to realize what the ancient Chinese knew; turned into a finishing product, Tung Oil is the finest natural wood finish in existence and has yet to be duplicated synthetically!

Man’s ingenuity has created many synthetic finishes, including lacquer, shellac, and varnish which protect wood with a hard impervious layer. But these surface finishes prevent the development of patina, the lovely depth and tone that only natural aging can produce. Eventually they will break down and discolor, when that happens the entire surface must be removed by stripping and sanding before another coat is applied.

Penetrating finishes formulated with linseed, soy or paraffin oils actually go into the wood and enhance its natural beauty; but these oils often dry incompletely and fail to form a hard and durable surface. Furthermore, they develop a gummy build-up when additional coats are applied. Linseed oil, the most commonly used, darkens and changes color with time and finally disintegrates.

A Polymerized Tung Oil finish is hard yet flexible, waterproof and impervious to alcohol and many food acids. Polymerized Tung oil as a penetrating oil allows wood to continue the aging process and to develop a patina. The wood’s rich color and grain are enhanced by the natural ambering of Polymerized Tung oil over time. Any sign of wear disappears when a thin coat of oil is rubbed in and these maintenance coats rather than cause a build-up, actually improve the patina as they protect and preserve the wood. A floor, a piece of furniture, or any other wood object finished and maintained with Polymerized Tung Oil will never have to be stripped again. The finish will become more beautiful with time.

As Tung Oil dries and cures, the molecules join together in a tight complex formation. This process is the secret to Tung Oil’s effectiveness as a finish. The polymerization process used by Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® is very sophisticated and “cooks” the pure, raw Tung Oil to its “maximum thermal threshold”. Controlling the “cooking” and the “cooling” is an expensive process that at its perfect point produces an oil that has maximum durability and a gorgeous sheen. If the process isn’t well controlled the oil solidifies to the consistency of an eraser and the entire batch is lost. The intricacy and therefore expense of the process is what leads most companies to formulate with modifiers. They believe they can achieve the same results with a cheaper process and formulation. In time, the varnishes and urethanes discolor and deteriorate and with it the finish. Our polymerization process helps to lower the toxicity of our Tung oil finish as it improves the curing ability of the oil, reducing the need for additional chemical dryers.

The polymerization increases the viscosity of the oil making it difficult to work and reduces penetration into the wood. The Polymerized Tung Oil must be formulated with driers to shorten the drying and curing time and solvents to thin the oil to maximize its workability and penetration. Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® has researched and implemented driers with the lowest toxicity available. We use solvents with the lowest toxicity possible reducing the environmental impact and minimizing a finisher’s exposure to chemicals.

THE LOC-LAMIN® WOOD FINISHING SYSTEM

The Sutherland Welles Ltd ® polymerization process and formulations are the core of what we call the Loc-Lamin® Finishing System. This system is based on the application of several thin coats of our Polymerized Tung Oil each fusing to previously applied coats which creates a durable finish that bonds completely to the wood as if it were one solid coat. Microscopic examination of the finish shows a three- dimensional molecular locking of the finish into the wood fibers. The Loc-Lamin® System does not deteriorate over time. The molecular locking of the finish into the wood remains stable indefinitely eliminating the multiple layers from peeling apart.

The process begins by applying Polymerized Tung Oil Sealer to new or stripped wood. This thinner formulation penetrates deep into the wood pores. As it cures, the Polymerized Tung Oil molecules join together creating a tough, interlocking network. This hardened sealer acts as a base for the finish coats of Polymerized Tung Oil whether a finisher uses a penetrating or surface application. As the first finish layer cures, the Polymerized Tung Oil molecules bond with those already in the wood. Successive coats of thinly applied Polymerized Tung Oil will fuse with each other and are firmly locked in to the wood.

Regardless of which Polymerized Tung Oil product is used, it is important that it be applied as multiple thin coats rather than as one thick one! Thin applications ensure that each layer dries and cures completely; this is essential for the Loc-Lamin ®Wood Finishing System to perform.

The Loc-Lamin ®Wood Finishing System also contributes to the ease of maintaining a Polymerized Tung Oil finish. Abrasions are sure to occur on any piece of wood over its lifetime. Temperature and humidity changes cause expansion and contraction of the wood eventually causing small cracks in the finish. When a piece of wood is routinely treated with Sutherland Welles Ltd.® Polymerized Tung Oil Wood Care or periodically given a thin coat of Polymerized Tung Oil, the Polymerized Tung Oil molecules in the fresh coat bond with those in the existing finish, forming a new, smooth uninterrupted surface. Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Concentrated Stains™ can be added to new finish coats to renew the color of the surface and help hide small scratch lines.

DIRECTIONS FOR USING POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL

WOOD PREPARATION:
The surfaces to be finished should be free of lint, dirt, grease, wax, oil, old paint or finish. For new wood, the surface should be sanded to a 220 grit finish. Avoid using higher grits as they close the pores, minimizing penetration of the Polymerized Tung Oil Sealer. Vacuum and tack the surface to remove any dust.

FINISHING CONDITIONS:
Ideal conditions are a temperature range of 55 -75°F with humidity less than 65%. Whenever you finish in conditions out of these recommended ranges you may experience difficulty in applying the finish and you will need to allow for longer curing times. Reapplying finish before the previous coat is adequately cured causes STREAKING and FLASHING of the finish. This is evidenced by dull areas in the finish where moisture is trapped. Avoiding streaking and flashing in the finish is a function of adequate curing time. Curing time is a function of finishing conditions, thickness of coat applied, lustre being used, and number of coats previously applied.

APPLICATION:
Sutherland Welles Ltd® Polymerized Tung Oil is formulated to be used as a wiping finish, that is applied, allowed to penetrate and then thoroughly removed from the surface. The amount of driers in the oil are insufficient to facilitate adequate curing if the oil is used as a surface finish, that is applied, left on- not wiped and allowed to cure.

Our Polymerized Tung Oil’s best performance is with solid wood, not veneers. Veneers are best finished using a combination Polymerized Tung Oil/ Resin finish. Sutherland Welles Ltd ® offers Wiping Varnish and Murdoch’s line as a more successful finish for veneer.

APPLICATION OF POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL SEALER:

After properly preparing the wood surface, apply the first coat of Sealer liberally with a natural bristle brush. It is not uncommon for most of this coat to be absorbed into the wood with a minimal amount left on the surface. After 10-15 minutes, wipe the surface completely using a clean rag or cheesecloth. Allow the first coat to cure approximately 6-8 hours. The sealing process tends to raise the grain of the wood, although less with a wiping finish. If the surface feels rough after the first coat has completely cured, lightly sand the surface using 220 grit sandpaper. Vacuum and tack the surface prior to applying the second coat of sealer. The second coat is applied using the same technique, but using less Sealer. Completely cover the surface with Polymerized Tung Oil Sealer and allow the sealer to penetrate approximately 10 minutes. Completely wipe the surface dry with a clean soft rag or cheesecloth. Allow the second coat to cure 6-8 hours. If the surface isn’t smooth enough to your preference, sand with 320/400 grit sandpaper or rub #0000 steel wool prior to applying the finish coats. Remember to vacuum and dust the surface prior to re-coating.

APPLICATION OF LOW, MEDIUM OR HIGH LUSTRE POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL

Using a natural bristle brush or a clean rag, apply the finish coats thinly. Allow 10-15 minutes for the Polymerized Tung Oil to penetrate and then using a clean rag or cheesecloth; wipe the remaining Polymerized Tung Oil off using a circular motion. Keep changing the area of the rag to a dry spot to pick up all traces of the Polymerized Tung Oil. Your final wipe should be in the direction of the grain of the wood. Allow 12-24 hours for the coat to both dry and cure. Successive coats are applied using the technique described above.
If the surface should tack-up before you wipe it off, simply apply more Polymerized Tung Oil and wipe off immediately and thoroughly.

Cure Test: To avoid STREAKING AND FLASHING in the finish perform the cure test prior to applying a coat of finish. Streaking and flashing are the appearance of dull spots in the finish. This occurs when moisture is trapped in the layers of finish due to insufficient curing time. Push your finger tips against the grain of the wood over various parts of the surface to be re-coated. If they glide easily over the surface – you are ready to apply your next coat. If there is any “grab” or friction felt, you will need to wait longer for this coat to cure. Repeat the cure test every two-four hours until your fingers slip easily across the surface.

COVERAGE:
Sealer: 75 -150 sq .ft./quart (first coat), 150-200 sq. ft. /quart (second coat). 250 sq. ft. /quart for Low, Medium and High Lustre (after two coats Sealer). Available in quarts and gallons.

WAXING (OPTIONAL):
After the surface is completely cured, the finish may be waxed using a carnauba paste wax. The technique we recommend is to use a piece of #0000 steel wool dipped in a small amount of turpentine and then into the wax can. A small amount of paste wax goes a long way using this technique. We buff before the wax is completely dry with a clean soft rag. Make sure you avoid loading the wax into crevices as it will dry and become obvious. Carnauba paste wax is available in white, orange and antique brown color.

MAINTENANCE OF A POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL FINISH

Maintaining a Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Polymerized Tung Oil finish is easy. Our Wood Care ™ product is designed to be used as a periodic wood conditioning that both cleans and adds oil to the finish. Follow the directions on the label.

Periodic maintenance – use only Sutherland Welles Ltd.® Dust and Tacking Oil™ according to directions on the label. Formulated with a high quality mineral oil and our low toxic solvent, Di-citrusol™, the product is perfect for removing everyday dust from furniture, cabinets etc. Perfect to prep surfaces prior to using any surface coating such as our Murdoch’s Table Top™ or our Wiping Varnish.

Yearly maintenance – use Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Wood Care™ according to directions on the label. This product is formulated with our Polymerized Tung Oil and our low toxic solvent, Di-citrusol™. Wood Care™ is perfect for any project finished with any of our products. Wood Care™ enhances the patina while protecting the wood.

RESURFACING OF A POLYMERIZED TUNG OIL FINISH

There are three steps to resurfacing a Polymerized Tung Oil finish; clean, sand, re-coat. Over time, any wood finish will need rejuvenation. Grime, dust, and environmental exposure all take their toll on a finish.

The first step is to clean the surface using Sutherland Welles Ltd. ®Cleaner according to the directions on the label. If the surface has been waxed, a penetrating finish will dissolve enough of the wax to maintain the integrity of the Loc-Lamin ® System. Once the surface is clean, lightly sand the surface with a 400/600 grit sandpaper. The final step is to use Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Polymerized Tung Oil in either Low or Medium Lustre. Apply a thin coat with a clean soft rag or natural bristle brush, allow five minutes for it to penetrate and then wipe the surface completely removing all the Polymerized Tung Oil from the surface. Allow the surface to cure twelve-twenty four hours before using.

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