I've found tung oil really shines when you want a natural look that still holds up over time. On a dining table in one of my rental units, its water resistance and warm finish added charm without looking like a thick plastic coating. My tip: apply it in thin layers with a soft cloth, letting each coat fully curepatience is key, but it pays off with a rich, durable glow.
Using tung oil for wood furniture has several advantages, primarily due to its unique ability to penetrate the wood and create a durable, water-resistant finish. Being a natural oil, it actually enhances the wood grain, leaving a beautiful wood surface without a film that would crack or peel. Once cured, it is a non-toxic finish, making it safe for children and pets, as well as suitable for indoor furniture. Uses tung oil come with some disadvantages as well. One notable is the time that may pass before it fully cures. Depending on the conditions, it can take several days or several weeks, which can be a problem for someone seeking a fast drying finish. Although tung oil is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. Therefore, prolonged exposure to water on a tung oil finish can still cause harm. Applying multiple coats can also take time, as sanding is required between applications to create a smooth finish. For optimal results, start with clean, bare wood so that the oil can soak in thoroughly as you apply the finished surface. You can apply tung oil to furniture using a clean, lint-free cloth or brush. This should be done thinly, evenly, and letting the wood soak in the oil for about 15 to 30 minutes before wiping excess off the surface. I would also recommend sanding lightly between coats to help improve adhesion and create a smooth finish. Aim for at least three to five coats, letting it dry between coats to let the oil cure properly. Always apply the product in a well-ventilated area to help with drying and reduce fumes.
The top benefit of tung oil, and one of the major reasons I tend to see people choosing it as a wood finish, is because it is much more health-conscious and eco-friendly than other types of varnish or finish. I have seen more and more people concerned about VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds in everything from paint to stain/finish, and tung oil is VOC free, making it a great option for people who are cautious about introducing these compounds into their homes and into the air. Additionally, I think the natural finish of tung oil can be beautiful for heightening the look of that natural wood grain. However, in my experience, tung oil does not hold up as well as other types of wood finishes. Since it is a completely natural product, I have just found it to be a bit less durable, more easily scratched, and so on. It is likely you will need to re-finish any wood you're finishing using tung oil more frequently, which can be a major disadvantage.
What are the primary benefits of using tung oil on a piece of furniture? Tung oil has been around for centries for good reasons. The biggest benefit of this finish is that the oil actually sinks into the wood fibers, rather than forming a film on top of the plastic like shell which typically comes with other sturdy finishes, thus providing a comfortable hand rubbed feel while protecting and preserving surface itself. While polyurethane is glossy and fake-looking, tung oil deepens the grain in a manner that feels true to the wood. In Des Moines, I do a lot of work in older Craftsman homes that really want that original woodwork to be shown off rather than covered up. A few years ago I finished a maple dining table in tung oil rather than varnish, and the depth of its grain has bloomed beautifully in natural light. The owners subsequently let me know the finish made their table seem more like an heirloom and less like a simple piece of furniture. Are there any disadvantages for using tung oil? The downside is time and patience. Tung oil needs to be applied in multiple coats, with a good amount of drying time between them, which means it's going to have to be a labor of love and not some quick fix. It's not as heat- or chemical-resistant as synthetic finishes, so a hot coffee cup sitting directly on it might leave a mark. In reality, I find myself warning people who want a dining table that's finished with tung oil: it will be gorgeous, but you have to be O.K. seeing the patina develop over time." Any tips for tung oil application guide? The trick is to prepare: 'sand the life out of the surface and dust off every speck,' because tung oil soaks in and exposes any imperfections. Wipe thinly with a lint-free cloth, and leave it to soak for as long as possible often 24 hours or so - before adding the next layer. A quick finish can end up sticky and tacky. I like to advise clients to think of the first couple coats as feeding the wood, rather than sealing it. In reality, I had one apprentice who was working beside me on a walnut sideboard that complained about how fast the oil "disappeared" in to the wood surface. I told them that the wood was sucking it up like, I don't know, water or something during a drought and by the time I did a fourth coat they were looking at not hewing-wood whatever low sheen sideboard (of my dreams 2k35 style) that looked like it could come to life. Patience is what separates a passable finish from an astonishing one.
I have used tung oil on a few custom furniture pieces and I noticed right away how beautiful the finish looks—it shows off the natural grain, and it has none of that plastic look that you may get from urethane. The best part is that the finish is water resistant and low maintenance, which is nice since you are looking for a classic look. The only downside is the time involved because tung oil is 3-4 coats and full cure between coats could take weeks. A trick I learned was to dilute the first coat with some citrus solvent to allow it to penetrate further into the wood. At SourcingXpro we think about it similarly with inspecting the product-- a little longer up front is more manageable than fixing a lot of issues thereafter. Anyway, if you want a finish that will patina beautifully, it's worth the investment.
Real Estate Expert, Designer and Stager at Sell My House For Cash Ontario
Answered 19 days ago
The many benefits of tung oil as a finishing, have increased its popularity and demand as a finishing for wood. One of the most outstanding benefits of using tung oil on a piece of furniture, is its water resistance. This finishing ability to resist water, to a considerable extent, makes it stain resistant, protecting the wood from damage either through spills and everyday wear and tear, or by absorbing moisture, leading to discoloration, warping, or cracking, thereby enhancing the durability of the furniture. Using tung oil on a piece of wood also brings out the natural beauty of the wood grain, enriching its appearance with a warm, and rich tone that accents the textures of the wood. Also, unlike other wood finishes with toxic chemicals, tung oil is safer and eco-friendly because it is non-toxic. Finally, all of these qualities put together, plus the fact that they can be reapplied when needed, without having to strip the old finish first, make tung oil a more practical choice when it comes to wood finishing. Despite its many advantages, using tung oil isn't all sunshine and rainbows, some of the disadvantages of using tung oil as a finish, are that compared to other finishes, it takes longer to dry, requires multiple coats before the desired look is achieved, doesn't guarantee a glossy finish, and tends to get darker when exposed to UV lights. My best tip for tung oil application is not to apply too much oil. Being too generous in your application can result in a sticky and uneven finish, and this becomes an even bigger problem because it compromises the look of the finished piece. A better result is achieved by applying thin and even coats.