Woodworkers love tung oil finishes because they enhance wood’s natural beauty and provide excellent protection. Our guide covers the different tung oil finishes, their benefits, application techniques, and how to choose the right product for your woodworking project. Whether you’re a seasoned craftsman or a do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiast, we’ll help you achieve professional-quality results.
Benefits of Tung Oil for Wood Finishes
Tung oil’s unique properties make wood surfaces look beautiful and last long. However, you’ll need the proper application techniques and some patience for the best results. The key benefits of using tung oil finishes include the following:
- Compatibility: You can use tung oil on various wood types. It’s compatible with many other finishes, allowing for versatile application in various woodworking projects.
- Durability: Tung oil finish is highly durable, making it an excellent choice for high-use surfaces such as tabletops, floors, and countertops.
- Easy maintenance: Tung oil finishes are relatively easy to maintain and repair. You can often refresh scratches or worn areas by applying additional oil coats without stripping or sanding.
- Eco-friendliness: As a natural product, tung oil is an environmentally friendly choice compared to many synthetic finishes. Pure tung oil contains no harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
- Enhanced wood appearance: Tung oil penetrates deep into fibers, accentuating the wood’s natural grain patterns and color. It imparts a rich, warm glow that many describe as a “wet look,” bringing out the wood’s depth and character.
- Flexibility: Unlike some hard finishes that can crack or peel over time, tung oil remains somewhat flexible. This allows it to move with the wood as it expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes.
- Food safety: Unlike other wood finishes, pure tung oil is food-safe once fully cured, making it an excellent choice for kitchen utensils, cutting boards, and other food-contact surfaces.
- Water resistance: Tung oil is water resistant, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor projects. It helps protect wood from moisture damage, swelling, and warping.
Pure Tung Oil vs. Other Natural Finishes
The choice between pure tung oil and other natural finishes like linseed oil and shellac depends on your project’s specific requirements, the type of wood you’re working with, and your personal preferences. Pure tung oil is the way to go if you care about durability, water resistance, and a natural look.
| Durability | Tung oil leaves a slightly darker, amber tone to wood than the yellowing effect sometimes seen with linseed oil. |
| Color | Once fully cured, tung oil is food-safe. It’s an excellent choice for kitchen utensils, cutting boards, and food preparation surfaces. This is an advantage over many formulations of linseed oil and shellac formulations, which may not be suitable for food contact because they chip more easily. |
| Food Safety | Once fully cured, tung oil is food-safe. It’s an excellent choice for kitchen utensils, cutting boards, and food preparation surfaces. This is an advantage over many linseed oil and shellac formulations, which may not be suitable for food contact because they chip more easily. |
| Drying Time | You can apply linseed oil or shellac and be ready to use your furniture within a day or two. Pure tung oil may take several days to cure between coats, and a full finish requires up to several weeks to harden fully. |
| Ease of Application | While linseed oil and shellac can often be applied and ready for use within a day or two, pure tung oil may take several days to cure between coats, and a full finish requires up to several weeks to harden fully. |
Types of Tung Oil Finishes
Not all products labeled as “tung oil” are the same. Three main types of tung oil finishes are available, each with its own characteristics and applications.
| Factor | Pure Tung Oil | Oil/Varnish Blends | Wiping Varnishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What It Is | 100% tung oil with no additives or solvents. | Tung oil mixed with varnish resins and solvents. | Thinned varnish applied like an oil finish. |
| Application | Requires multiple thin coats, with long drying times between. Regular reapplication is needed. | Easier to apply than pure tung oil, often requiring fewer coats. | Very easy to apply. Can be wiped on with a cloth. |
| Drying Time | Two to three days to dry between coats, 1–3 weeks to fully cure. | A few hours to a day to dry between coats and 1–7 days to fully cure. | A few hours to dry between coats and up to 24 hours to fully cure. |
| Environmental Impact | Typically contains no VOCs and is eco-friendly. | Contains some VOCs because of the added solvents. | Contains VOCs because of the solvents used. |
| Good For | Fine woodworking projects where you want to showcase the wood’s natural beauty. | A wide range of woodworking projects, from furniture to interior trim. | High-use items such as tables, chairs, and flooring. |
How To Choose the Right Tung Oil Product
The first step in choosing the right tung oil product is to evaluate your project requirements. Consider the following aspects:
- Type of wood: Different types of hard and soft woods perform better with different formulations.
- Intended use: Consider whether you’ll expose the piece to moisture, UV light, or heavy use. This helps determine the level of protection you need.
- Application time: Consider how much time you can dedicate to the finishing process. Pure tung oil requires more time and patience while wiping varnishes offer quicker results.
- Indoor vs. outdoor use: For outdoor projects, prioritize products with enhanced UV and water resistance.
Reading Product Labels
Carefully read product labels to understand what you’re actually purchasing. Here’s what to look for:
- Ingredients: Check if the product contains pure tung oil or if it’s a blend. Look for terms like “contains petroleum distillates,” which indicate it’s not pure tung oil.
- Application instructions: If the instructions mention wiping off excess after a short period, it’s likely an oil/varnish blend. If they don’t mention wiping off, it’s probably a wiping varnish.
- Drying time: Pure tung oil will have significantly longer drying times compared to blends or wiping varnishes.
- VOC content: Check the VOC content for environmental and health considerations.
- Food safety: Ensure the product is food-safe when cured if you’re finishing items that will come into contact with food.
Application Techniques for Tung Oil Finishes
Proper application is key to achieving a beautiful and durable tung oil finish. Techniques vary slightly depending on whether you’re using pure tung oil, an oil/varnish blend, or a wiping varnish.
Preparing the Wood Surface
Regardless of the type of tung oil finish you’re using, prepare the surface properly. Here are our suggested surface prep steps:
- Sand the wood progressively, starting with coarse grit (80–100) and working up to fine grit (120–220).
- Remove all dust with a tack cloth or vacuum, followed by a wipe-down with water or mineral oil.
- Ensure the wood is completely dry and free from any previous finishes or contaminants.
Applying Tung Oil
Different formulations require different application methods for the best results. Pure tung oil takes the longest to dry while wiping varnishes dry the quickest. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying tung oil and allow adequate drying time between coats.
Additional Tips
No matter what type of tung oil you’re using, the following tips can help you achieve your desired look safely:
- Work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gloves.
- Maintain a consistent room temperature (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderate humidity for optimal drying.
- Allow the final coat to cure for at least a week before subjecting the piece to heavy use.
- Dispose of oil-soaked rags properly.
- Remember that practice and patience are key.