Our recommended spread rate for Waterlox Original Tung oil finishes is 500 square feet per gallon per coat (125 square feet per quart per coat). The number of coats applied is dependent upon the hardness of the wood (review the wood hardness FAQ (Janka Chart). When the finish is applied as per our product application video (on the top of the FAQ page), puddling should not happen.
Puddling can be caused by:
- Applying too much finish to the substrate, or
- Coating an unlevel, uneven, cupped and/or a pitted surface, or
- Sanding the wood with too high a grit and closing the grain (on first coat), or
- A cold substrate which can cause condensation (water) on the surface.
Before continuing the project, the puddles will need to be removed.
If the puddles are due to condensation on the surface, or are noticed prior to them setting up, wipe them up with a lint-free rag wetted with mineral spirits (paint thinner) and sand the areas if necessary before continuing the finishing process. Further, if there is condensation on the surface due to the substrate being cold, make sure that the ambient temperature, substrate and the Waterlox are all the same temperature and at least 50° F before proceeding.
Generally speaking, these “puddles” will be thicker because they contain more wet film thickness (WFT). These areas will therefore take longer to completely dry through and can remain soft and be scraped with a fingernail. To help the puddles dry, cross-ventilation is needed to allow the finish do dry through. After the area has dried through, use a Scotch-Brite® pad, sandpaper or steel wool to remove the dried film. Tack the entire floor with a tack rag (lint-free rag wetted with mineral spirits (paint thinner) and apply another coat, being careful not to let the finish pool in those areas where we just cleaned them up.
If the puddle has wrinkled, or you’d like to skip the drying process of the thick film, the puddle should be removed with a razor blade or scraper. After it has been removed, lightly sand the area to even it out and apply another coat to that spot to build it up to the rest of the floor and/or the entire floor, depending on the severity of the situation.
