The Accurate Reloading Forums
Tung oil

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https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9411043/m/9641020062

11 June 2020, 09:00
Miers
Tung oil
Roy Dunlap in his book Gunsmithing warns that tung oil can cause an allergic reaction . He recounts the experience of US soldiers in the pacific who handled Arisaka rifles and came out in rash ,blisters and even open sores .
There was enough numbers to cause a formal military enquiry which established the cause .
I have alway avoided tung oil as I have tetchy skin .
11 June 2020, 09:06
Miers
Sorry! This should have gone under Stock Finishing Recommendation in Gunsmithing .My mistake
11 June 2020, 18:25
dpcd
Never heard of that; but as with linseed oil, no one still used it in the raw state (or shouldn't). It is mixed with dryers and other modern stuff to make it better.
11 June 2020, 19:05
craigster
You might want to read this:
https://www.canadianwoodworkin...-oil-debunking-myths
11 June 2020, 20:21
dpcd
Don't know about the OP but I am not interested in a product that takes weeks to dry and does not contain modern truly water proof (not just resistant) additives.
I didn't start doing this yesterday.
11 June 2020, 20:30
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)
I'd hesitate to call any stock finish water PROOF. Seen plenty of Remington and Weatherby stocks with their fancy epoxy fail miserably.
11 June 2020, 22:10
dpcd
True but modern finishes are more than plain natural oils no mater what kind.
We used to slather linseed oil on our M14s on a weekly basis; the only reason they didn't get water logged in the field is because they were already oil logged; not something you want in a custom rifle. I don't at least.
12 June 2020, 02:45
Bobster
Here are links to original publications on it:
https://books.google.com/books...ese%20rifles&f=false

https://books.google.com/books...ese%20rifles&f=false

I don't think it was Tung oil but a different type of finish.

"East Asian lacquer is a resin made from the highly toxic sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, which is native to the area and a close relative of poison ivy. In essence, lacquer is a natural plastic; it is remarkably resistant to water, acid, and, to a certain extent, heat."- www.metmuseum.org

quote:
Originally posted by Miers:
Roy Dunlap in his book Gunsmithing warns that tung oil can cause an allergic reaction . He recounts the experience of US soldiers in the pacific who handled Arisaka rifles and came out in rash ,blisters and even open sores .
There was enough numbers to cause a formal military enquiry which established the cause .
I have alway avoided tung oil as I have tetchy skin .