Can any experienced woodworkers advise on how to fix white discoloration on a walnut table after using Watco danish oil and General Finishes top coat?
Asked by Jessie Bennett 
5 months ago
Last Updated: June 14, 2024
Hey folks, I could really use some advice from any experienced woodworkers out there. I recently finished a walnut table using Watco Danish oil and General Finishes water-based top coat. However, I’ve run into an issue where the wood has turned a white color, and you can even see this in the pores of the wood. I made sure to follow the instructions for both products, so I’m not sure what went wrong. Any suggestions on how to fix this without having to start over would be greatly appreciated!
I wouldn’t recommend using a water-based sealer over oil-based finishes, especially if they contain tung oil since it takes a long time to fully cure.
I suggest sanding off the sealer coat, cleaning it thoroughly with mineral spirits, wiping it clean, letting it sit for a few days, and then sealing it with something like an oil-based wipe-on poly. Personally, I prefer Minwax.
In my opinion, Watco Danish oil is not the best finish. Also, unless it has completely dried, it may have issues with a water-based top coat.
I went with Watco Danish oil, let it cure for 3 days, and then finished with spray lacquer. The result was fantastic!
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Yeah, cure times can vary a lot depending on the type of wood and the environment. In your situation, 3 days did the trick, glad it worked for you. The original poster didn’t mention how long they waited, and I’m guessing it wasn’t long enough for the finish to fully cure, causing the issues with applying water based finish over oil. Personally, I’m not a fan of Watco Danish oil. I stick with my dad’s formula for Danish oil, which allows me to customize the mix for different uses. I prefer tung oil over linseed oil (which I believe Watco uses), and I like to adjust the solvent ratio as I apply more coats.
Start by sanding it with 80, then 120, and finally 150 grit sandpaper before using Rubio Monocoat.
It sounds like you forgot to mix it properly.
I think I would strip it, lightly sand it multiple times, and then apply Rubio Monocoat.
I’ve used F High Performance WB and other water-based finishes on walnut and none of them caused a white discoloration. I’m not sure if you can apply a water-based finish over Watco. I’ve had Watco seep out of the open grain of wood for days. I believe you’ll have to stick with oil-based finishes for now.
This waterbase is based on walnut