OK to slightly 'thin out' Minwax tung oil?

[keyboardguy]

Hi all,

I have used Minwax tung oil of 3 of my bass guitars with excellent results. I now have a Koa wood bass that was previously tung oiled.

After sanding and preparing, is it OK to slightly thin out minwax tung oil with mineral spirits?
I want the first coat or two to really penetrate deeply into the wood.

I would then build up 6-10 coats with the normal Minwax tung oil as I normally do for a great job.

What do you think; thinning a good idea?

Regards,

Mike

[Greenman]

Myself I use good turpentine to thin oils. Helps penetration for the first coats. Once you notice it taking longer to dry you know the wood is getting saturated then its time to use full strength oil finish. My .02

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by keyboardguy

Hi all,

I have used Minwax tung oil of 3 of my bass guitars with excellent results. I now have a Koa wood bass that was previously tung oiled.

After sanding and preparing, is it OK to slightly thin out minwax tung oil with mineral spirits?
I want the first coat or two to really penetrate deeply into the wood.

I would then build up 6-10 coats with the normal Minwax tung oil as I normally do for a great job.

What do you think; thinning a good idea?

Regards,

Mike

Good advice from Greenman.

Yes, you can use a small amount of mineral spirits for thinning. It will do the same as the turpentine for getting the oil to penetrate. I wouldn't go over a ratio of about 8:1 oil to spirits.

[keyboardguy]

Thanks for the replies folks!!

It will be awhile before I apply the Tung oil. I'm hand sanding a 1990 Carvin Koa with koa neck and ebony FB. My preliminary sanding has been removing a lot if 'gunk' . I assume it's sweat and dirt; this Bass was really played.

I also had a re-fret job.

Thanks again.

Mike