Thinning TRU-OIL ????

[Bigmon]

Hi guys,
Maybe it's just the "cheap-skate" in me.  But I hate wasting money.
Ready to start putting the finish on a build and I thought I had a new bottle of Tru-Oil.  But no, it was half full.  And thick. 
I bought a new bottle todey at a show.  $8.50 !!  I know thats nothing when considering the cost of a build today.  But why put so much oil in a bottle when ya wont even use a quarter of a bottle on a gun.
Then by the time ya need it again its so long that it's no good, too thick??
So, has anyone ever tried thinning the stuff??
I was thinking about Thompsons Water Seal??  Its just thinned BLO. Might thin the tru-oil??
Any other thoughts??
Cheap-Skate

[longcruise]

I t should be thinned with mineral spirits.  Just add a bit and shake it up then let it set for a while.

Store it tightly capped and upside down.

I don't remember where I picked this up, but it is the correct way to do it.  It might be on the label!

[EC121]

Upside down should work.  Some people say that when storing the bottle upright to put marbles or clean pebbles in the bottle to bring the level up to the neck.  My bottle gets skinned over but I just poke a hole in the skin and use it anyway.  Works fine.  I do make sure to wipe the cap and threads to avoid gluing to top on.

[jerrywh]

 I usually buy a new bottle for each gun. Sometimes I thin with mineral spirits or turp.

[smart dog]

Hi Bigmon,
I am not sure where you got the notion that Thompson's Waterseal is thinned BLO but it is a parafin wax-based treatment.

dave

[Longknife]

My "waterproof" finish consists of several coats of Thompsons WS, then a couple of more coats of TWS and Tung oil (50/50). Then a couple of more coats of straight tung oil...

[dogcatcher]

Tru-Oil is a mix of an oil, mineral spirits and varnish.   "Russ Fairfield secrets of finishes"  http://www.woodcentral.com/russ/russ3.shtml  Explains a lot of finishes.   The oil finishes in a nut shell.  http://www.woodcentral.com/russ/finish7.shtml

I use Hope's 100% tung oil, Helmsman Spar Varnish and mineral spirits.  3 combos. one has more mineral spirits for deeper penetration on the first applications,  then about 1/3 of each for the next few coats, then a little more spar on the last couple of coats. 

When I was using Tru-Oil, I bought the 32 oz bottles at Midway for $20.  I then decanted it into 3 oz bottles.  As the smaller bottles were emptied, I place them in a gallon can that was half full of mineral spirits so I could clean the bottles.  After the can got gunky with the Tru-oil cleaning, I would add a quart of BLO and spar varnish and use it on the shop floor, work benches, outdoor furniture etc.  Waste not want not...

[Bigmon]

Thanks to all, what a great web sight.
Best yet.
Bigmon

[JCKelly]

Throw it out.

$8.50 is nothing compared to the $ and hours you have already spent.

Oil finishes do not "dry" like water colors, by evaporation of some solvent.

Oil finishes thicken and harden by oxidation, a chemical reaction with the air, enhanced perhaps by sunlight.

"Thinning" with spirits of whatever does not reverse that.

You will have, at best, a weaker film.

Get thee a new bottle of your favorite oil.
d

[Dphariss]

Hi guys,
Maybe it's just the "cheap-skate" in me.  But I hate wasting money.
Ready to start putting the finish on a build and I thought I had a new bottle of Tru-Oil.  But no, it was half full.  And thick. 
I bought a new bottle todey at a show.  $8.50 !!  I know thats nothing when considering the cost of a build today.  But why put so much oil in a bottle when ya wont even use a quarter of a bottle on a gun.
Then by the time ya need it again its so long that it's no good, too thick??
So, has anyone ever tried thinning the stuff??
I was thinking about Thompsons Water Seal??  Its just thinned BLO. Might thin the tru-oil??
Any other thoughts??
Cheap-Skate

Use hardware store grade boiled linseed oil. The new stuff can be thinned 50-50 or maybe a little less BLO really thick stuff maybe a little more than 50-50. A little REAL turp will thin the thick stuff if the oil leaves it too thick.

Dan