Using Le Tonkinois for brightwork
Just read an interesting article in WoodenBoat Magazine about a fellow
who built a Viking ship for Gloucester, Massachusetts. Among the
interesting aspects of the article (with photos) is that he uses a
linseed oil and tung oil product called Le Tonkinois as a finish for the
wood. I had never heard of it before so did a little googling. The info
about it reads like it is a better than varnish product for finishing
exterior wood.
Here's a link to the article (not sure if you can read it without a
subscription):
https://www.woodenboat.com/polaris-0?utm_source=MC&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=content&utm_content=Image&utm_campaign=Email-WBN-2020-09-06
Here it is listed at Hamilton Marine:
https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/products/varnish-le-tonkinois-original-1-litre-1311.html
and here's their take on the product:
Le Tonkinois (Lay-TON-kin-wah) is an all natural, environmentally
friendly tung oil and linseed oil based varnish oil. It produces a rich,
deep varnish finish that is strong and durable, yet it is very easy to
apply and maintain. - A light sanding in between coatings is required. .
. between subsequent coats, just wipe down with a water dampened rag.
Very user friendly, no complicated thinning or mixing, use right out of
the can. - Le Tonkinois does not get brittle like synthetic varnishes,
it does not crack, peel or blister. Rather, it moves with the wood,
while at the same time preserving a durable, water resistant finish. -
Each formula is easy to use, works like a horse, and is stunningly
beautiful.
Does anyone on the list have any experience with this product, and
what's your take?
--
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I haven't used this product-Le Tankinois-but have used tung oil and linseed
oil, as well as pine tar, Japan Dryer, and turpentine, in various ratios.
So here are my thoughts, sans experience with that particular product,
keeping in mind that my comments are in comparison to the products listed
above.
The linseed oil will turn brown, the darkness depending on its
concentration, If you remember seeing any of the bare wood on our boat,
you'll see how dark linseed oil turns at a 1:1 ratio, kinda medium dark
brown; inside it will not turn so dark unless the sun gets to it. Outside,
I'd suspect that this product will require periodic applications as it
fads. Our rubraills generally get re-coated yearly, but by then the color
has faded considerably. If you've ever looked at reproduction boats, like
Columbus' ships, they use linseed oil on their planking... thus the brown
color.
Chances are if you look at their MDSD sheet, you'll find alkyd something or
other listed, but I doubt that will add significantly to its applied
service life, but will add to the cost, and most likely results in the
'hardness" that is attributed to it, but how 'hard'?
There's no reason that I can think of to buy an already mixed product when
the ingredients, sans the alkyd ingredient, are readily available at most
hardware and paint stores. If you want to add pine tar, you can get it at
many horse chanderlies. Mix ratios are extremely flexible, depending on
what you want to achieve and how dark you want the finished product. They
are all compatible with paint thinner, making it a very low tech slush.
That product, most likely due to the alkyd something or other, requires
sanding between coats or for re-coating. Using linseed oil and tung oil,
without the alkyd ingredient would most likely allow dispensing with
sanding. We never sand when re-coating our linseed oil, pin tar,
turpentine, Japan Dryer slush coated wood. In fact, we don't do anything
but slush on a fresh coat. For a finer finish, you might want to first
clean the surface to be re-coated with soap and water, or whatever cleaner
is indicated, if the surface is contaminated.
On the other hand, give that product a try and give us a review.
*Rudy & Jill Sechez *
*BRINEY BUG-a 34' Sail-Assisted Trawler *
*850-832-7748 *
Chestertown MD Chesapeake
I forgot to add to my previous post, a shot of alkyd spar varnish will give
previously mentioned slushes a shine. But, I question the use of this
product... since you have to sand between coats, why not just use a spar
varnish. A spar varnish with an amber tint provides the shine and a nice
amber color to the wood. Just kinda wondering? I'm curious about the price
of the product and am too lazy to look it up!
*Rudy & Jill Sechez *
*BRINEY BUG-a 34' Sail-Assisted Trawler *
*850-832-7748 *
Chestertown MD Chesapeake