Carpentry and Woodworking - Coat Tree Finish

I'm completing a coat tree as a house-warming gift for a friend and I am curious as to which finish to use. I've used a combination of white and red oak and I'm thinking of using tung oil as a finish, however I've never worked with it before. Will the color of the wood basically remain the same after applying the tung oil?

I think what I would like most is something that will slightly "deepen" the colors. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help!
Bill

100% pure tung oil will give remarkable clarity to the finishing of the two oaks. Many finishes and woods darken naturally over time. Some of the coloration of the wood will be heightened with an oil finish, but nothing that is not already there.

Hope this helps.

Hmm. . .so, if I undstand correctly, the tung oil will give the wood almost a "wet" (for lack of a better word) look. Though, not shiny. Is this correct?

So, I shouldn't really expect the tung oil to deepen the colors, that would be a product of time and age. . .

Maybe, I would be better off with a light stain??

Bill

Yes, a wet look is a good term. The finish will give depth to the appearance of the piece. It won't darken the color of the wood upon application. Oak darkens on its own.

To stain or not, that is the question. It is up to you. Some prefer the natural colors of woods.

Hope this helps.

Yes, the "to stain, or not to stain" is the one that is really getting me :) Thanks for the info about oak darkening over time. I did not know that!

Thanks for your help!
Bill

Okay, just thought of another question. Can I use Briwax over tung oil (once it has dried, of course)? Or would this be a bad combo?

Thanks,
Bill

Sure, it will keep it easy to clean.

Thanks. I've been using the Briwax on some of our antique furniture and it has really brought the pieces back to life!

Thanks for all of your help!
Bill