Plant oils will turn rancid if not chemically or heat (polymerized) treated. Also, it would be best to check out various factors that affect drying time. Many of the additives emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals) so they are no longer an eco-friendly, green product nor are they food safe. Thank you. Your articles are clearly presented and easy to read. Not so if the surface is waxed. . Tung oil cant get down into the pores where mineral oil is residing. Eighteen hours between coats is not enough. Use hot water and ordinary standard soap for wooden objects and floors. Hi Paul, I too wish I had seen this a week earlier. I would recommend using polymerized tung oil vs pure tung oil. Thanks again for the input.. Paul, just wanted to let you know I see now that Old Masters is not polymerized oil. It is a Douglas Fir tree so has alot of lite blonde tones in it. Theres a lot of questions I have as well. Adding moisture (like shampooing your hair) pops those broken strands and they need to be removed for a really nice finish. I am leaving town for 3 weeks and thought to just let it be and do a couple additional coats when i get back after sanding. "It confirmed the application method I used years ago is right. All grain was visible and not covered by the semi-transparent pigment. Do you know of anyone that has had experience sanding the tung oil off? Would this be a good application for 300 year old Red Oak? Im not saying that these products are bad but if staying green and you want the beauty and benefit that a pure Tung oil product delivers then use care in your selection process and know what youre actually buying. Application is different with oil finishes too. It could take a long time to reach even saturation so be prepared. . . It removes themajority of moisture leaving a relatively dry (and extremely thirsty) plank. I can answer most procedure questions (not all) but I struggle with questions where people are looking for solutions to improper applications. Fortunately in Illinois we still have access to mineral spirits. Additionally, the oil delivers a beautiful golden color that gives the wood a sophisticated look. I dont check this site very often. Anyway if not properly sealed Pure Tung Oil will partially dry out over time and clump. Then do a light sandingand apply following my site instructions. . I saw an earlier post where you said you could re-coat the next day. Well wood fibers are a lot like hair strands. Sorry for the delay. . Also, my second comment. paul. Thank you. . Normally, it would be best to apply up to 5 coats of tung oil over your wooden surface allowing it enough time to dry between the coats for you to achieve a near perfect finish. Its also a good idea to do your stripping in an area with good ventilation (or outside, if possible) to prevent the fumes from becoming overpowering. I stripped and sanded them, and then applied pure tung oil that was diluted 4:1 with mineral spirits ( so only 20% tung oil.) Buying Pure Tung or Polymerized Tun Oils eliminates additives. Ideally, you should apply the oil when humidity is 50% or lower. I would personally not cut on it as I would not cut on a polyurethane coated surface. Monitor the piece the first 10 days, wiping off any excess oil that collects. Are you using pure tung oil, polymerized tung oil or modified tung oil. Spar varnish and all oils (including tung) have an amber cast (most all oils in nature do), so theres no getting away from the amber cast. And it takes five to seven coats to get a protective film. paul. Using tung oil is probably the most complex method, as it involves a special technique called wet-on-wet burnishing, which means using several coats and . The woodworker must wait for each application coat to dry before applying the next one. That said, there is a trade-off and that trade-off is drying time and layering of coats. Apply a thin, even layer of tung oil directly with a cloth, brush or roller to the surface, making sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. best . Cabot Australian Timber Oil Wood Deck Stain Ratings (1-10) Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8. . Pure tung oil is easy to identify because it contains no solvents. . Hey Lewis. You have to wait at least two to three days for each coat to harden. Perhaps on an older piece of wood something was spilledor applied that is resulting in lack of penetration or over-penetration of the oils. . In the case of linseed oil it removes the potential to rot and in the case of tung oil it hastens dry time substantially. TSP is a highly-effective deep cleaner, but its also highly toxic. Pour out the amount of product needed for the first coat. Thanks for the help. Not sure what your next step should be but if it were me at this point I would remove as much as i can, allow to dry thoroughly and start from scratch. paul. paul, Hey Greenthing. Built with rough sawed lumber. I would strongly recommend you experiment on the bottom of your new table surface. Fix fine-grit sandpaper to a palm sander and sand the surface. When applied to a raw surface, the oil hardens to protect and add luster to the wood. Blend one tablespoon of dishwashing soap with some warm water. So at any rate i thought i was going extra with 18. color. The manufacturer says it cant be sanded off. 3. Tung oil needs about six or more coats to deliver a perfect finish unlike, Danish oil. Tung oil has to cure (dry all the through) before applying subsequent coats. This can be checked by a light sanding with a 300 grit sandpaper. If the surface produces a white dust it is ready for recoating, if it doesnt it isnt dry and more time is necessary. Humidity plays an extremely important role with tung oil. Here are some of the steps to follow when adding polyurethane over Tung oil. All areas should look wet but if any areas have standing puddles spread them out or wipe them off. As I mentioned, future coats will gravitate close to the depth of the last coat, building on its depth, durability and appearance. Depth comes from a perfectly level surface (grain filing). Thanks for all your helpful info. Typical dry times are between 2 and 7 days before re-coating. Actually you can download them right from my website and print them on your computer. There are a few downsides to Tung oil. Tung Oil can be applied with a natural bristle brush, a foam sponge type brush or a clean cotton rag. Oils penetrate into the wood surrounding and lubricating layers of the woods structural fibers and filling its pores. Its available online Google it. That means that between tung and linseed oil, the latter offers the quicker, cheaper choice with the same benefits. Tung oil originates from South America and China. But if you apply danish oil in multiple coats or your pine wood pieces are damp, curing will take a week or two. A light sandingthat produces white dust says youre ready for the next coat (if you decide to do another coat). In addition, apply the oil little by little until you get full coverage. I have been using straight Old Masters Tung Oil. Please note that Tung oil has been a popular product for thousands of years. paul. Last question is if i wait a few weeks and sand it down with 400 and it is nice white powder should the application of additional coats be 50/50 tung oil and the varnish i decide on using. Think of prepping wood for finishing like getting a haircut. So if youre applying numerous coats, expect the finishing process to take 10 days to complete. Like all other oils it can be easily repaired when damaged. Mineral spirits come in handy where the surface is still tacky and shows no signs of getting dry. . I didnt wipe it off because, since everything has soaked in so quickly on the old wood, I didnt realize it was needed. He founded this website to help other woodworkers, whether hobbyists or professionals by sharing his knowledge and experiencie after a decade of woodworking. So, it works well for most kitchen projects. . ", https://www.realmilkpaint.com/blog/tutorials-videos/beginners-guide-pure-tung-oil/, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cleaning-with-tsp-trisodium-phosphate/#.Wjv5R9-nHIU, http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=36123234, https://canadianwoodworking.com/techniques_and_tips/tung-oil-debunking-the-myths/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqKzUGkiue0&feature=youtu.be&t=25. Rex. Then wipe all areas to remove any excess that remains. Stripper? Two coats should do ya. You also have the option of applying a little oil to the insides of drawers and cabinet doors if youd prefer a more uniform look. Hence, please apply the formula once or twice a year, depending on weather exposure and usage. The go Thank you so much Paul. When wood is dried it removes moisture from the fibers pores. paul, , How to Apply Tung Oil Properly -Tips & Techniques, Proper Tung Oil Application and Surface Preparation, Raising Woods Grain A necessary Step for a Fine Finish, Thinning PURE Tung Oil The Proper Way, Re-application Timing The Pitfall of Tung Oil, Tung Oil Re-coating Sanding Between Coats. WoodCritique.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Hi Paul. Check out Polymerzied Tung Oil vs Pure Tung Oil. I have a nice piece of old growth redwood that will be the mantel over my fireplace. It would be better to check the products first and see what to expect. A gallon of Tung oil will cover 400-500 square feet but since we will be thinning it and applying multiple coats 2.5-3 gallons is recommended for that area dimension. best . Make sure that you are not over tacking with the cloth though. Sorry for the delayed response, out of town. I also dont really like the high polish of poly and prefer a more satin finish. . This is Thursday. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Also, you are good to go with fewer coats. Therefore, youll need more oil when covering a larger surface. Check out the following techniques to avoid waiting for ages before using the oil finish. Tung oil does not store well, so you need to use it quickly. . Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. paul, Hey Jessica. Personally I would NOT wax the finish. Hey David, Can Tung oil be used over my homemade cream (beeswax+coconut oil) Fortunately, we have products like Wax and Polish Remover that make the process much easier. Some furniture polishescontain silicone which is virtuallyimpossible to remove from a surface. Hope this helps. Most floors are polyurethane coated. Thanx for your experimentation and observations though. I am considering bailing on the project after Day 1 (yesterday) because it looks really flat, uneven and yellowish. I dont think I would try applying thinner coats at this juncture. I think we would have to examine thewoods fibers. I think big box stores have limited versions of Pure but I like other suppliers. paul. Insist on wiping off the excess oil and getting a thin coat. paul. The other nice part about Pure Tung Oil is its food safe. Its six months old and has gone through a n Indiana winter. . It would be best to consider various aspects as you decide on the drying time. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 6. There are both hard and soft maple and they take stain differently. . Also, please hold the tool away from you and pull it towards your body. Most people who use oils prefer that appearance. best . My thought is that laying food on an undisturbed surface is safe. Im familiar with the name of the product but dont use it, so I cant answer that your question. best . That said, I can tell by your handle that youre probably more up on this subject than I am. Therefore, please avoid using it in materials that act as food storage. Its okay to put your project in service once dry but you should refrain from heavy use until hardened. It could take days to weeks. Once dry the next step is to get the oil to penetrate as deep as possible. 4.0 (54) Write a review Ask a question Easy to maintain The ideal protective finish for woods And since youll need to apply multiple coats, often five to seven, it could take you several days to finish something with tung oil. Hope this helps. You will get it from nuts, and thus it is food safe and environmentally friendly. Yes youll be okay and you are right about dry times and humidity. On top of that, ensure that the formula penetrates the surface after polishing it. Grain raise only happens after thefirst coat of polyurethane, stain, etc. Some who label their product tung oil have NO TUNG OIL WHATSOEVER!!! Its probably uneven drying and saturation issues. Hey Rex. Thanks! Now has many coats of unthinned oil. However, it would be best to have more layers for external or porous surfaces. Hey Mathew. You can also increase the surfaces shine by leaving it for an hour and repeating the last procedure. I dont mind rustic, but we are really not liking the country look. How should I finish the bark? Hey Recbecca. When i sanded, it did gum up the sand paper which led me to believe it wasnt completely cured or dried. More resting time means better absorption. I only use Pure Tung Oils ot Polymerized Tung Oils and I thin in stages to assure absorption and to seal the wood. Hey Novice. Well, it depends on the nature of your desired finish. Pure Tung oil is the perfect choice for food preparation areas because it is a eco-friendly, green, natural product without additives. Thanks, Great question Nick. Do not let the oil sit for more than10-15 minutes (it will get flaky) and be sure the oiled spots are dry (test sand to be sure) before adding more oil. working on a large live edge table. Take your time and focus on applying each coat correctly. For instance, drying is a process where the finish is free from water due to evaporation. . The process of heating tung oil has been around for years but needless toi say its a somewhat dangerous process to do in the average woodworkers shop. paul, Hey Fred yeah sorry. In addition, you can use the oil for basic beginner projects as its application is easy. I keep the wood wet with oil for 30 minutes allowing for the initialcoats to reach deeper. Did I mess up and have to start over? While Im not a chemist the thinking is that the longer and thinnerthe application the deeper it will penetrate and absorb into the woodspores. Then, leave the project for a few days. What you should have on hand before starting: New Wood 2 Grades of Sand Paper (120 180 220 320 400)Old Wood or Damaged Wood Surfaces 3 Grades (80-120-180 220 320 400) and a mechanical sanderTack ClothLatex GlovesApplicator (choose one) (Cotton Rag Natural Bristle Brush Foam Brush)Pure Tung OilThinner: Either mineral spirits or an eco-friendly citrus based thinnerSuitable mixing containerClean rag for wiping excessMineral spirits (Oil stains only). Polymerizationspeeds dry time dramaticallyand still retains all the benefits. 320-grit sandpaper, 0000 steel wool or other equivalent abrasive. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Will the paste wax add significantly to the finish or should I just leave well enough alone? When you're ready to brush on more oil, make a few passes over the surface with an ultra-fine waterproof sandpaper (320-600 grit sandpaper or 0000 grade steel wool is ideal) and gently buff the topcoat in all directions. Tung Oil is not subject to rancidity. This will vary time-wise depending on temperature and humidity. Bamboo is an interesting product. However, you need to be patient with the project as Tung oil soaks slowly into the wood. Let me know what happens, please. WebAs a finishing oil, Tung oil hardens to a tough coat as long as it's exposed to air. Perhaps the wood grain changes within the wood itself. . Any clean cloth that will absorb excess is fine. One is mixture of varnish, boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits (called an oil/varnish). Allow at least 24 hours for Tung oil to dry between coats. Very Nice! Im about to finish a Macrocarpa guitar body with your above instructions. Hey Laura. Then I followed the instructions on the Real Milk Paints website and applied their Pure Tung Oil + Citrus Solvent at 50/50 %. The finish, however, only takes 24 hours to dry between coats of paint. Then, get a clean cloth and clean the excess formula from the woods surface. The wood surface will be safe from absorbing water once the finish cures. Oils penetrate the woods fibers and tends to be more satiny in appearance. By comparison, no other finishing product can come close. paul. WebAs a finishing oil, Tung oil hardens to a tough coat as long as it's exposed to air. . Tung oil will require a minimum of 5-8 coats with many woodworkers moving well into the teens. paul, Hey Alex, All are done to enhance speed of application, drying times and in many cases manufacturer profits. Waterlox sealant/Finish, 1quart, Semi-Gloss, 32 Fl Oz. The oil naturally waterproofs, seals, and protects the surface from damage. Although Tung oil hardens to give a hard and solid surface, the finish remains elastic. I am building a small camp on an island in Maine and have purchase kiln dried, ship lap cedar boards for the inside walls of the camp. Its hard to say exactly how much time is needed. So when oiling wood a finer finish sanding is highly recommended. Also, it would be best to get fine steel wool to scrape off the oil. paul, Hey Colleen. As for the new oak worktop, the oil seems to disappear. Ive been following your instructions to refinish our furniture ( oak table , walnut table with polyurethanes and now maple chairs with tung oil) It is durable, food safe, water PROOF(not just resistant) and it is easily repaired when damaged (scratched, worn, etc). My fireplace using polymerized tung oil will require a minimum of 5-8 coats with many woodworkers moving well into wood. Be checked by a light sanding with a natural bristle brush, a foam type... 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