Tru-Oil vs Linseed vs Varnish

[suzukisam]

z- I understand. like I said I work with finishes everyday.. and what I have found in almost every kind of paint, varnish, lacquer, enamel, or epoxy, is that the method and skill of application has more to do with the end product than the product itself. wood will soak up anything.. period. If it can suck it into the grain, especially end grain. what I would recommend for anyone refinishing a stock is to reduce your first couple coats with a solvent such as naptha. the reason I like naptha is that it is oil free. I know your thinking why wouldn't he want oil? well oil/mineral spirits will slow the dry time, and will put oils that you don't particularly want into your finish. if you use a penetrating oil youMAY, and I want to emphasize MAY, have an undesired residual effect of leaching. penetrating oils have harsh detergents and things that will eat rust and oil. You may find your finish gooey after a few years or never dry at all. this would be my concern, but try it I may be wrong. I just think that there are so many good commercially available products designed with your concept in mind, that there may be a better way to go.. even oil based stains will hinder the drying of all oil based finishes, including varnish if not allowed to dry. and I will respectfully disagree about varnish as being a thin layer, or oil soaking in deeper. I have sanded off some pretty deep finishes that required getting into the wood. this is just my professional opinion