Hi,
Weekend before last (ie Sunday 24th) I applied tung oil to plywood (simply described as “12mm hardwood plywood” by the DIY shop). One week and a bit later, it looks dry to the eye, there is no shiny spot, the wood has a warmer colour, but if I run my fingers on the surface I get a tiny amount of oil.
I applied the oil by pouring a small amount on the surface of the wood then rubbing with an old rag, leaving no pool of oil.
Sunday (the day before yesterday ) I used kitchen towels to try to dry it off. The towels picked up a tiny bit of oil, but evidently not everything.
Is tung oil that slow to dry? Should I wait another week? Can I do something to help the process along? (Sanding or steel wool? Too aggressive for the thin veneer of plywood? Rub with a small amount of white spirit? )
I’m making a crate for Puppy who has outgrown two crates already, I picked the oil that was advertised as food & toy safe without realising how difficult it’d be to apply. In fact that’s my most ambitious project to date, I’m really a beginner.
Puppy tax:
I would cover the whole with shellac which sticks to just about everything, is food safe (they use it in coated medication) if you mix your own (don’t use denatured alcohol - pay the big $$$ for high proof alcohol). This will dry fast and look nice. It isn’t the most durable finish though.