Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Tung Oil Question

I just read in another part of this forum, the instructions for applying tung oil, which states it's a wipe-on wipe-off method. I just refinished a shotgun stock with tung oil mixed 50:50 with paint thinner, like the directions on another website said to do. After 5 minutes, the tung oil is tacky like varnish, and after about an hour, it dries rock hard with a beautiful shine. Since each coat becomes tacky rather quickly, there's no way I could wipe off a coat I just applied. Why would I want to? Am I applying it correctly? The finish is so perfect, I don't want to touch it or change the way I'm applying it, just curious as to why the "wipe-off" step is even needed. I'm using Formby's Tung Oil Finish and applying it with shotgun cleaning patches. Comments?

:cheshire:

What does the lable say about thinning?? I used tung oil on several black powder guns and other furniture, about 6-9 coats, and it has last well for years. I do not recall having the problem you describe, but I haven't used tung oil recently. Was there a stain or undercoat of any kind???

Some time ago I read that you could keep your brass candlesticks looking good if you coated them with tung oil after polishing them. I did that! :wall:
Now, years later, I have spotted candlesticks. The tung oil has worn off in spots but is dark where it's still hanging on and won't come off with brass cleaner.
Any advice as to how I can remove the tung oil? I thought of turpentine but I'm afraid that would harm the candlesticks.
Thanks!
Sorry, I haven't figured out how to do a new thread!