The dust and hassle of doing this, combined with dry time, in a store or restaurant means it doesn’t happen and you end up with a really poor looking surface after a number of years. However, there is a variety of tung oil in the market available, which is made thinner by adding chemicals, so be careful and read the label. This is the real kicker. While polyurethane is a synthetic material, tung oil stain is organic and made from the pressed seed extract of the tung tree. Typically a Danish oil consists of a mixture of tung oil and varnish. Polyurethane is a liquid coating that dries into a plastic film. Leaving the wood in its natural state, however, does not mean that you should leave it unprotected. Today, among the oiled finishes is the preferred choice by skilled craftsmen. It’s all natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, and it doesn’t yellow as much over time as common finishes like linseed oil, nitrocellulose lacquer, or varnishes like polyurethane. Using a straight oil finish (either BLO or Tung oil), is of little protection to the wood. Tung oil, which some people misspell as "tongue oil," is an example of the first option, while urethane – or more commonly polyurethane … So I'm thinking of putting 1 coat of Tung oil and then a few coats of polyutherane on top. For such intricate surfaces, Tung oil is considered ideal because of its characteristic of soaking in the wood. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Perhaps the best part is that tung oil is non-toxic. Tung oil is more on the expensive side, doesn’t darken wooden surfaces and therefore is very popular amongst antique re-furnishers. After sanding and cleaning the wood surface to remove any previous finish, spread the oil along the grain pattern using a clean, lint-free rag. Rub the entire piece lightly with 0000 steel wool, TACK CLOTH THE ENTIRE PIECE (seriously, I can not stress how important it is to use tack cloth whether you are painting or oiling! Kitchen table for example is a good candidate for oil based polyurethane. Linseed oil and tung oil add more amber color to wood than varnish or polyurethane. Polyurethane on the contrary sits on the surface of the wood. These oils are drying oils, which darken and enrich the wood with a natural look as they dry. Wood finished with Minwax® Tung Oil can be periodically refreshed by simply applying another coat. I usually re-oil my tables whenever they get scratches or begin to look a little dull. I always apply 3-4 coats of oil finish...however many I need to get a nice even finish...rubbing with steel wool and tack cloth between coats! Oil finishes are super durable...in my opinion, just as durable as poly. Nothing is harmed by that addition. But I bought them used. I have been working on wood projects since I was a young boy. The tung oil is a bit lighter, and this difference will get more noticeable as time passes. But the tung oil has to be reapplied every so often. Tung oil and polyurethane give a warm, natural finish. (Photo by Vaughn MacMillan) Myth #4 Dating back to the 14th century, tung oil was used to waterproof and protect wooden ships. It’s a great finish that offers the beauty of oil and the protection of varnish. When it comes to bringing out the natural beauty of a highly figured piece of wood, such as quilted maple or quartersawn oak, nothing beats a hand-rubbed Danish-oil finish. It penetrates into the wood, unlike a film finish, which sits on the surface. Oil-based polyurethane consists of linseed oil, synthetic resins, and plasticizers. The varnish component may be varnish or polyurethane (which is also a type of varnish). It does not coat the wood in a way that polyurethane does. Let’s start with why you would use polyurethane in the first place vs. other types of wood finishes such as shellac, lacquer, varnish, etc. Since polyurethane is highly durable, you can even put a layer of it on top of dried tung oil for more durability. Sam Maloof's famous chair is finished with a mix of polyurethane varnish, tung oil and linseed oil. Oil, on the other hand, can be worked into a regular cleaning cycle by staff and touch-ups of scuffs are easy. Polyurethane sits on top of the wood to form a protective barrier that is watertight in only two coats. After a year of use it had a few scratches and was beginning to look a little dull! Oil finishes are super easy to touch up or "bring back to life." You can always start over if you mess up. Polyurethane Varnish. With polyurethane finishes, the process of recoating or refinishing can be time consuming and expensive, because the entire floor is likely re-coated if a repair is required. Why I prefer oil finishes to polyurethane! TheSawGuy.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. In Understanding Wood Finishing, Bob Flexner states that, “Tung oil can be made fairly water-resistant after five or six coats. Is there anything wrong with doing this? Well, because it is super easy to apply and there is no better finish for durability and touchups! Water based polyurethane is famous for being low odor and low toxic. Polyurethane would act just as an improvement on top of tung oil. So when you hear me say Tung Oil, I am always referring to 100% pure tung oil. Danish oil is used to finish and protect wood surfaces from moisture. But if it isn't done the wood can dry out and warp. For surfaces that are going to be used fairly roughly, a tougher top coat is highly recommended. Tung oil dries a little bit faster than linseed oil, and sometimes it is modified to cure even more quickly. Some homeowners prefer painted or stained furniture and others enjoy letting the natural colors of the wood shine through. Both oil and water based versions can be applied on acrylic/latex paints. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO-lpMfPe1A&feature=emb_title, Dura Seal Water Based Polyurethane Floor Finish Application (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO-lpMfPe1A&feature=emb_title), Minwax 63010444 Fast Drying Polyurethane Clear Finish, quart, Satin, Varathane 200041H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane, Quart, Gloss Finish, 32 Fl Oz, Minwax 33055000 Fast-Drying Polyurethane Aerosol, 11.5 ounce, Semi-Gloss. Also, poly finishes generally have to be removed entirely before any scratches or worn spots can be repaired. Tung oil can be applied on the wood surface using a normal piece of cloth whereas polyurethane has to be applied using a sponge or paint brush. It is ideal for surfaces that will come into contact with food such as salad bowls, cutting boards and salt-pepper mills. It also dries much faster than Tung oil. When applied to a raw surface, the oil hardens to protect and add luster to the wood. Though the differences are small by comparison, tung oil is a little more protective than linseed oil, and polyurethane varnish is a little more protective and durable than varnish. After that I just wipe on a fresh coat of tung oil finish with my homemade sponge applicator...and the piece looks like new!! Tung oil is made from the pressed seeds of the Tung tree nut. So when you hear me say Tung Oil, I am always referring to 100% pure tung oil. And keep in mind, I am talking about oil FINISHES...not REAL tung oil. Penetrating tung oil finishes come in three varieties: pure tung oil, oil/varnish blends, and wiping varnish. I would like to finish my Eros with Tung oil, but I also want the toughness of polyutherane. So to make it an oil/varnish blend, I would just add a little oil to the mix and call it done. Of course there are also disadvantages to oil finishes. It offers great protection, has the look of a hand-rubbed oil finish, and is easy to apply. Reducing the ratio of oil to resin creates a hard finish for indoor use. Easy to maintain, it is the ideal protective finish for woods that have been refinished because it penetrates wood pores to restore vitality to dry, thirsty wood. It takes approximately 7 coats of Tung oil to make your surface truly waterproof. (I did not stain this table...that is the "natural" color of white oak and walnut with an oil finish). Something like Formby’s is just thinned varnish. Here is why I prefer oil finishes on natural or stained wood... 1) Ease of application. Here I discuss the difference, or rather the lack of difference, between different oil finishes. The tung oil is a bit lighter, and this difference will get more noticeable as time passes. I usually let the oil dry overnight before I apply another coat or before use! Seriously, it is "idiot" proof! That’s why, for the non-pro, I’d recommend an oil-based wipe-on polyurethane. 2) Durability. Although the other choices have their own advantages, Tung oil is the only natural finish that can give the best results among them. To me, poly finishes look "plastic" and tend to mask the texture and depth of a beautiful wood grain! Polyurethane dries faster than tung oil and takes only 12 hours to cure. Dating back to the 14th century, tung oil was used to waterproof and protect wooden ships. and had deep figure appear where previously there appeared to be little or none at the final sanding/scrape. When you want to apply a clear finish to a wood table or cabinet, you have a choice between penetrating oils and varnishes. Poly has its place in your DIY arsenal...but for me, oil finishes are best on any natural or stained wood piece especially if they will need touch up from time to time! Polyurethane is considered the best option for high traffic surfaces like wooden flooring. That penetration gives a depth to the wood's grain that's hard to achieve with a film finish. You can do this with your kitchen table for example. Tung oil soaks into the surface of the wood and can take up to 48 hours to dry. Moreover surfaces on which Tung oil is applied require touch-ups yearly to maintain their sleek finish. Tung oil is safe to be used in making kitchen utensils as it is an all-natural and non-toxic product. Polyurethane varnish mixes alkyd and polyurethane resins with different types of drying oils. It starts to form a film of deposits around the edges of container. I just refinished a round oak table and an old oak chest of drawers. The most common and least expensive of the drying oils is boiled linseed oil. Tung oil takes up to 48 hours to dry. Often we are asked about "Oiled" finished hardwood floors, and if they are superior to a Polyurethane. While polyurethane is a synthetic material, tung oil stain is organic and made from the pressed seed extract of the tung tree. On the other hand, tung oil is expensive and susceptible to water rings, stains, and scratches. These oils are drying oils, which darken and enrich the wood with a natural look as they dry. I alway enjoy the next challenge to build to keep sharpening my working skills. Polyurethane may look great at first, but in very heavily used areas, like a restaurant, it can scratch off over time and must be sanded and repaired by someone who won’t screw it up. Two of the most popular finishing varnishes in the market are Tung oil and polyurethane. Copyright © 2019 by The Saw Guy – Saw Reviews and DIY Projects. Tung oil makes the wood look granular and grainy by enhancing the natural grain of wood. See the video below for some advice on how to best apply it to your wood floors: However it is not the best option for intricate woodwork pieces such as furnishings and scroll work on trims because of the thick patina it leaves on the surface. Still, … Tung oil is made from the pressed seeds of the Tung tree nut. As a suggestion, on a sample, start off with a 50% oil, 25% varnish/polyurethane, and 25% mineral spirits (or naptha if you want a faster dry). If you are not concerned about yellowing of the surface, polyurethane is the best option. Pure Tung oil is less likely to add an amberish tint to the mix. The first thing I do is rub down the top with steel wool.... Then I wipe the entire piece down with tack cloth. This article compares the two in terms of pros and cons, application and equipment, and maintenance and clean-up. Tung oil can be applied on the wood surface using a normal piece of cloth whereas polyurethane has to be applied using a sponge or paint brush. Tung oil dries slowly and needs many coats. Now...just like "new.". As mentioned earlier, pure tung oil is non-toxic. And keep in mind, I am talking about oil FINISHES...not REAL tung oil. There are many clear wood finishes on today’s market. 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