I want ideas to increase the penetration of oil finishes in cherry and walnut (& other) for two main reasons:
1. Increase the chatoyance / moire / shimmer / reflective depth in the wood.
2. Increase water resistance due to more finish resin deeply impregnated into the wood.
I'm not a newbie to oil finishes - we have done hand-rubbed oil finishes exclusively for 20 years - probably $10M plus product in the field - very high-end flooring, doors, wainscoting, cabinetry, ceilings and furniture. We use polymerized tung oil and a linseed oil based UV cured oil. We've used D-limonene (citrus oil) as the thinner. I have a pine BT vanity in my house on which I used above finishes and in 5 yrs have never had water rings even though people in the house don't wipe up (as I do!!) under the liquid soap bottle or splashes from the sink. Also an elm dining table top that never rings up - though the table top I wipe on a couple coats of PTO (Polymerized Tung Oil) at least once a year as daily wipe downs with dishrag seem to strip the finish a bit.
I'm looking for ideas to increase penetration and increase the pluses of #1 and #2 above - ideas?
I've heard that heating the oil (linseed) does not really increase penetration but my own quick tests were inconclusive.
1. Solvent and technique ideas?
2. Crazy idea - would putting the wet boards in a pressure chamber for a few minutes help penetration? Anyone actually tested this?
3. Crazier idea - would putting the wet boards in a vacuum chamber for a few minutes help? Anyone tested this?
For this thread please keep all responses related to OIL finish penetration and do NOT talk about comparisons with other finishes.
Thanks!