Tung Oil

Pure Tung nut oil is made from the pressed seed of the Chinese Tung Tree and gives a superior finish to that of linseed oil which tends to darken with age. Also sometimes known as Danish Tung oil although it is generally produced in China, it has a smooth clean finish that forms a thin film on wooden floors, furniture and other wooden surfaces to provide a water resistant barrier when several coats have been applied.

Known for Its elastic properties, Tung oil finish is able to move and flex as wooden surfaces and furniture expand and contract with the changing temperature.

Being very easy to work with and maintain, pure Chinese tung oil is both safe and versatile and can be used on almost any surface including, food preperation areas, floorboards, furniture, children's play areas, childrens toys and much more making Tung nut oil the perfect choice for the DIY enthusiast.

For new wood, the first 2 coats of the Tung oil finish should be applied thinly as this helps to form a better base coat, the third and subsequent coats can be applied more heavily. Tung oil naturally has a matt finish but a slight sheen can be obtained if the final Tung oil finish is buffed with fine (000) grade wire wool.

Tung oil can be slow drying, sometimes taking between 1-3 days depending on the coverage and the environmental conditions. it is possible to thin Tung oil, if necessary with turpentine oil.

Where to use

Tung oil finish is perfect for almost any surface or job, suitable for kitchen food surfaces, hardwood floors, children's play areas and guitar finishes among other things.

The key to success in any project is preparation; this also applies to the application of Tung oil to furniture, floors or other wooden surfaces. For new wood, it is recommended that any dirt and grease is removed from the surface with a good quality white spirit or other form of de-greasing agent. For older wood, any areas of wear should be lightly sanded to a smooth finish then cleaned to remove any dust or debris; the prepared surface will then be ready for a fresh coating of the Tung oil finish.

Application of Tung oil finish

Tung oil finish is best applied with a rag or good quality brush such as our 3 inch natural horse hair paint brush; it can be spray applied with spray gun systems although application with a cloth or brush is the norm. The first few coats of the Tung oil stain should be allowed to penetrate fully before adding further coats.

Tung oil finish is very easy to maintain and repair. Most knocks, minor damages and stains from spillages such as wine can be removed by gently sanding the affected area and re-applying more Tung oil stain, this will blend in with the original finish to produce an almost invisible repair.

Tung oil care and storage

As with most wood finishing oils, waxes and stains, care should be taken with the storage of Tung nut oil. To prolong the life and retain the properties of the Tung oil finish it should be stored in a tightly sealed container somewhere that is both cool and dry.

Tung oil is easy to apply with a soft cotton cloth, such as t-shirt material. Work the oil in to the wood in a circular motion and finishing off in the direction of the wood grain.

Container Sizes and coverage
Tung Oil will cover about 18 Square metres per litre depending on the temperature, amount applied and the type of wood being worked on.
1lt: Covers 2 large chest of drawers (outside surfaces only).
5lt: Covers a floor approx. 10m x 9m (33ft x 29ft).

Drying Time
A thick coat will dry within 3 days and a thin coat will dry in around 12 - 24 hours.