It was painting it on and letting sit for a while then buffing it off. I then switched to soaking it. I accidentally left a call in the oil bath for 24 hours and it seemed to have penetrated much better that way. That is what gave me the idea to search for a better mode of application.
I have learned chemicals work better with a carrier. For instance I work in a crime lab. We heat CA (super glue) in a chamber for a specified time. The glue turns to vapor and adheres to the matrix of a fingerprint before anything else in the chamber. Now the fingerprint is affixed permanently. You can powder it and tape lift the print. You can re-powder it over and over again.
We also dye stain the prints with a flourescent stain. When the right wavelength from an alternate light source hits the stain it will luminesce.
The point being, is we have to use a carrier that will readily evaporate after it carries the stain into the super glue. Usually that is methanol. The methanol can easily penetrate the super glued print, carrying with it the stain. When you remove (Evaporate) the methanol then the stain remains behind. This can only be done on non-pourus items.
The same thing with bio-diesel. The methanol carries the chemical (Methoxide) to crack the molecular structure (Glycerin/ester) out of the oil and replaces it with a different ester(methanol).
Carriers are used everday all over the world. Used correctly a paint thinner will allow dry wood to accept paint deep into the pores of the wood, rather than sit on top of the wood when a thinner is not used. I see no reason not to use a carrier with our application.
My calls are still on the rack drying. I will check them out when I get home. I will do a tester on some scrap pieces. I will see the penetration depth with and without a carrier by cutting them open after a timed soaking event.
I intend to tung oil these calls to finish them. I will probably go two or three coats witha good dry time and buff in between each coat.
