finishing question

**chiefster23** · 11-11-2002, 04:30 PM

I am building a medicine cabinet for a half bath in my house. The carcass will be made from melamine and the sliding doors will be mirrors. I want to make the face frame and crown molding from red oak. I don't own any spraying equipment so my usual "finish of choice" is hand rubbed tung oil. I don't think this finish will give me enough moisture resistance. Are there any hand applied finishes you guys (or gals) can recomend that will be durable in this environment? I suppose I could go with something brushed on, but I don't much like brush marks, either. Thanks in advance for any advice/help you can offer. Bruce

**litebkt** · 11-11-2002, 04:34 PM

You could use a wipe on poly. Minwax has two versions, clear gloss and satin.

I've also heard folks here taking a "brush on" poly and thining it with naptha or mineral spirits to make a wipe on version.

With these thinned finishes, you will have to do multiple coats to build the desired finish. But this "hand rubbed" finish is very nice indeed.

I've built my last three projects finished with the "wipe on" from Minwax and have been very pleased. It just takes some patience to get that finish built up.

Michelle

**MatD** · 11-11-2002, 06:02 PM

WaterLox makes a tung oil finish for Marine use. I would assume that would provide enough water resistance :)

Mat

P.s. If it's only a half bath it shouldn't get that wet should it?

**TDHofstetter** · 11-12-2002, 12:03 AM

Chiefster23, check out my post in "What finishes will work in a bathroom environment?". Posted that just a sec ago, but it's getting too late at night to write it all again... :(

-- Tim --

Carpe Lignum