Safe to apply Formby's tung-oil with fingers - The Firearms Forum

wpshooter · 02-08-2012, 03:22 PM

I have been using Birchwood Casey Tru-oil on my gunstock refinishing.

I have always used my bare fingers to apply the Tru-Oil.

I am now going to try some Formby's tung-oil instead of the Tru-oil.

Is it safe to apply the tung-oil with bare fingers, i.e. will this tung-oil irritate the skin ? It says on the Formby's to use gloves but I am wondering if this is really required.

Thanks.

The Duke · 02-08-2012, 04:17 PM

I suppose it will depend on your skin sensitivity to it...But tung oil is quite safe to handle for most people......I love Frombys and have applied it by hand rubbing for years and not had a problem....Just gotta keep your mind on what youre doing and remember not pick your nose ....

Bindernut · 02-08-2012, 04:36 PM

I use gloves myself, since there are petro-chemicals in the finish. But folks have been applying it for years with bare fingers too.
Formby's instructions say to use em and I've already had enough exposure to petroleum solvents in my life that I try to take the extra precautions whenever I can now. Some folks are fairly resistant to those solvents and some react fairly quickly, either way prolonged exposure isn't good for ya. Better safe than sorry.

The same applies for Tru-Oil or any other combo-type oil finish too. Unless they're specifically listed as pure oil finishes they're a combination of oils, mineral spirits, turpentine, varnish, and/or similar ingredients.

Get the nitrile rubber gloves instead of just plain latex if you can get them since the petroleum solvents will attack the latex. Even the cheap PVC gloves work better than latex but they will break down from the solvents eventually too.

I'm really surprised that Formby's doesn't have a link to the MSDS sheet on their website.
Attached is a PDF of it if you want to see what's all in there and what they list as needed protection.

BETH · 02-08-2012, 04:52 PM

why would u not use gloves the chemicals get in your skin

Zane71464 · 02-08-2012, 05:09 PM

Anymore, especially when I'm cleaning SEVERAL guns or anything else, and using anything with "chemicals" in it, I use the "doctors-gloves. (why not, easy to use and slip off)

02-08-2012, 03:22 PM	#1
wpshooter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 249	Safe to apply Formby's tung-oil with fingers I have been using Birchwood Casey Tru-oil on my gunstock refinishing. I have always used my bare fingers to apply the Tru-Oil. I am now going to try some Formby's tung-oil instead of the Tru-oil. Is it safe to apply the tung-oil with bare fingers, i.e. will this tung-oil irritate the skin ? It says on the Formby's to use gloves but I am wondering if this is really required. Thanks. -->

02-08-2012, 04:17 PM	#2
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Safe to apply Formby's tung-oil with fingers I suppose it will depend on your skin sensitivity to it...But tung oil is quite safe to handle for most people......I love Frombys and have applied it by hand rubbing for years and not had a problem....Just gotta keep your mind on what youre doing and remember not pick your nose .... __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

02-08-2012, 04:52 PM	#4
BETH Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: naugatuck,Ct. Contributor Posts: 6,666	Re: Safe to apply Formby's tung-oil with fingers why would u not use gloves the chemicals get in your skin

02-08-2012, 05:09 PM	#5
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,350	Re: Safe to apply Formby's tung-oil with fingers Anymore, especially when I'm cleaning SEVERAL guns or anything else, and using anything with "chemicals" in it, I use the "doctors-gloves. (why not, easy to use and slip off) __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"!