I recently got a piece of wood from a tree branch during a pruning, and I want to prevent it from splitting as it dries. I've read that coating the ends with wax or paint can help, but I don't have those materials, just some candle wax. I was wondering if using tung oil to seal the ends of the log would be effective in slowing down the drying process. Would it actually work, or are there any downsides to using tung oil, like it sinking in and affecting the wood's hardness? I know I can carve it without drying, but I need a way to minimize splitting in the meantime.
2 Answers
Candle wax works like a charm! I’m actually getting a cheap candle myself just for this type of thing because it’s super easy to use. Just melt it, and you can coat the ends without hassle!
Tung oil isn't the best idea here. It takes a while to dry and might change the wood's color, which could be an issue depending on your project. Plus, it’s a bit pricey for this purpose. Anything to seal the wood will help, but you might want to lean towards something faster drying if you're worried about splits.
Thanks! I had some candle stumps, so I've used those.