tung oil-no tung oil...just lacquer???

[yyyyyguy]

so why do so many use tung oil/lemon/linseed oil before the lacquer?? what is the difference, I've tried tung and linseed  then lacquer and see no advantage grain seems as good and with lacquer only there is more of a shine??  what am I missing

[dgman]

I suppose it depends on the wood. I use mostly hardwoods such as Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut and such. The linseed oil that I use brings out the grain and color of the wood. It doesn't do much for Baltic birch plywood. The oil is not a finish. That is why I use lacquer over the oil.

[GrayBeard]

Yeah...What Dan said!

~~~GB~~~

[Marcellarius]

for indoor projects I'll sometimes use only oil, and no lacker. (most keychains)
works great  I think. it depends on the project.
lacker gives it more a shine and makes it stain proof.
line seed oil makes pine and ply a bit yellow over time, tung doesn't

[julief]

I stick with Danish Oil.  Brings out the grain, protects and finishes.  (It has a little laquer in it.)  If I need stain, it comes in colors.  Sometimes I cover it with poly sometimes not.  Sometimes I oil it, then use Howards feed n wax to finish it off.  Looks nice.

[tux_linux]

I use a simple oil, sometimes wax - or simply leave it raw.

The oil is a paraffin oil which is also allowed into contact with food. So it's a safe one even to use on toys.
The wax is a liquid beeswax - also allowed for toys.
Even so, I often leave toys raw.

I do not lacquer the wood, because I do not want to seal it. There is nothing wrong with wood, It is a natural product. One may feel it and may feel the little bit of structure which is left after finish.

regards
Torsten