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u/Ok_Possible_4649

r/Espalier r/woodworking r/finishing r/GardeningAustralia
▲ 2 r/Espalier+1 crossposts

espalier frames on a tilt

I am thinking of espaliering some citrus, but doing it on a free stand frame (for space saving, and the challenge) rather than a wall.

That means I can adjust the tilt. The idea is to find an angle facing the sun a bit better.

I have found one commercial/scientific trial in south Africa that did something similar with grape vines (although with wires running North-South, rather than east-west) - changed the chemistry of the grapes (I'd guess you'd know with wine, but I don't think I need be that analytical with citrus), but not really helpful.

Any ideas? Obvious problems?

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u/Ok_Possible_4649 — 9 days ago
▲ 2 r/finishing+1 crossposts

Last night, I notice my tabletop is developing an odd patchy texture that I didn't see before. Its as if the tung has hardened and plasticized on some bits, but the grain has opened up in others. Water beads on the shiny bits, but begins to soak into the open grain.

Can't seem to get reddit to upload photos, so try these links:

photo 1

photo 2

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photo 4

I'm a noob at finishing, and maybe this has been happening already and i just didn't notice, but its seems like a sudden development.

I've applied 4-5 coats (I lost count...) of (actually pure) tung oil to this messmate hardwood top. The top was sanded to 180, and the first coat with a 50:50 mix with d-linonene (orange oil). Lightly scrubbed with 0000 steel wool between coats. Coat goes on, 30 min later gets wiped off.

I have left it 24-48h between coats, in a shed (overnight temperatures ~10-20C, (45-50F), daytimes in the shed probably peaking at 23-28C (73-83), with relative humidity anywhere from 25-90%.

The destination is on an outdoor covered deck, where it will get rainspray and dew, so the opening grain is an issue.

More oil, more coats, or strip it all back and start again?

u/Ok_Possible_4649 — 4 months ago