Use Dark Raw Tung Oil for Natural Wood Staining & Finishing
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The heat from the sun will flash polymerize the Dark Tung Oil while it is on the surface. Be sure the surface of your project is free of dust, debris, or grime. There are four phases when it comes to using Dark Tung Oil for your projects. Tung oil with natural resin to add depth to your grain and instantly have an aged look. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
During the first 15 days of curing, you can use the surface. However, you will want to avoid getting it dirty or allowing liquids to puddle on the surface during this period. Extremely dense woods such as teak, ipe, etc may require thinning up to a 2 to 1 ratio of solvent to Dark Tung Oil. Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.
Tung oil/varnish blend products
To do this, simply mix 2 parts thinner to 1 part tung oil and wipe down your surfaces. After the first coat has absorbed, apply a second coat. This means the wood cells have been saturated and you can move to the next step. Decorative items may need two to four coats, while functional surfaces that will be handled, used, or walked on will need a minimum of three to five. Most surfaces require Pure Tung Oil or Dark Tung Oil to be thinned.
You have to wait at least two to three days for each coat to harden. And it takes five to seven coats to get a protective film. Rushing the process, or applying too thick a coat, causes wrinkling, which has to be sanded off. Do not apply or leave fresh tung oil on a surface in direct sunlight. This will flash cure it on the surface and will turn white. Simply wipe it onto the surface, no need to lather it on.
Difference Between Pure and Dark Tung Oil
From the 13th to the 19th century, tung oil had only limited use in the West. In the 19th century, it was adopted by the paint companies to become a major component in paints and varnishes. More recently, tung oil has gained favor over linseed oil for furniture finishing because it is faster drying and does not darken as much with age. If necessary, start by sanding or stripping the surface to remove any coating or finish that’s already there. Tung oil can only be applied to bare surfaces or over another coat of tung oil. Follow that up by cleaning the surface with trisodium phosphate.
Pure Tung oil is an excellent alternative to other drying oils, such as walnut, linseed and soy. Renewal and/or maintenance coats are thinly applied with lint-free cloths or old t-shirt material on an as need be basis. A two parts solvent to one part tung oil mixture is recommended for maintenance coats. Outdoor projects may require more maintenance than indoor. Heavily used areas can be expected to require more maintenance than lightly used areas.
Thin the oil
We believe in being honest with what is in our products. So, that’s why we provide the ingredients used in them so you can rest assured knowing exactly what’s in the product you purchase from us. For example, if the calculator says you need 4 gallons, but you wish to thin it yourself. Do not get hung up on the number of coats, let the wood tell you when it has reached its maximum saturation. This thinned mixture can easily find any open pores and fill them.
Dark Tung Oil is a naturally thick liquid and usually requires thinning to help it absorb into the wood. If you are doing a project where you want to use natural, food contact safe products, try our Citrus Solvent. If you’re looking to be a bit more economical, try our Odorless Mineral Spirits. Do not use a mineral spirit or odorless mineral spirit marketed as “green”, “eco-friendly”, or similar verbiage.
Let the oil cure for up to 30 days
Remember, fast-drying oils leave you no time to correct mistakes, and that’s a lot of pressure when you value quality over speed. Pure Tung oil is a drying oil that’s extracted from the seed of the tung tree, which is native to China and a few other Asian countries. The oil has been used for centuries as a water-resistant finish for boats and other wooden objects, as well as to finish stone.
The Chinese have long turned to the tung nut as a treatment for a variety of ailments, as well as a waterproofing agent for their handmade boats. Today, we’re able to use this ancient “secret” to give all kinds of woodworking crafts and up-cycled furniture a gorgeous new look. Easy Fixes for Drafty Windows and Doors Read these 8 things you can do yourself to keep warm inside your home. How to Build a Boot Cleaning Station You can build this handy boot station with just a few essential tools and some lumber. Park it right outside your door, so you can effortlessly scrape off any muck and snow on your shoes all fall and winter. This simple DIY project only takes an hour to complete, plus no more tracking dirt into the house.
As the Dark Tung Oil cures, its durability and resistance to liquids and dirt will also increase. The first 7-15 days is when the oil is at its freshest and weakest state. After that point, increased regular use of the surface can take place. Tung nuts are actually the seeds inside the fruit of the tung tree. It’s not at all unusual for someone who has a tree nut allergy to be perfectly fine with consuming drupes.
Typically, surfaces that need maintenance have a very dry, or lackluster appearance compared to when the finish was originally applied. You can move furniture back into the room after applying the Dark Tung Oil. However, keep area rugs and furniture that sits close to the floor off until the full 30 days are complete. We recommend placing plastic sliders between the floor and wooden legs of furniture. This will prevent the furniture leg from naturally pulling the oil out of the floor. You can apply the oil with a natural bristle brush, a sponge brush, or a soft and lint-free rag.
Freezing of the oil will make the natural fats separate from the oil. Excessive heat can cook the oil to the point where it cures in the bottle. If you are mounting or under mounting a sink, we recommend waiting for 7-10 days before mounting the sink. For caulk, we recommend using DAP Ultra Clear All Purpose Sealer.
For the best finish, we recommend letting this application rest and settle overnight. The following day, apply one or two more coats of Tung Oil to the surface of your project, following the same steps outlined above. The proper application of tung oil depends on you starting with a clean and prepared surface. Before you start, make sure there’s no grease, oil, dirt, dust, or other contaminants on the surface.
Tung Oil – where to buy?
Applying tung oil until the surface becomes fully saturated will give the best results. This will be evident as the surface will not absorb more oil. The number of coats of oil to be applied will be determined by the intended use of the piece. One to two coats is enough for decorative work, paneling and molding.
Freezing temperatures can affect the curing of Dark Tung Oil. You will want to delay your project until the temperatures will be above freezing for a minimum of two weeks during the curing of the tung oil. While the oil is at its freshest (usually the first 7-15 days) do not walk across the floor with dirty shoes. The dirt will be pressed into the fresh oil and will be hard to remove.
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