How to Apply Tung Oil

Easy-to-Follow Steps for Applying Tung Oil to Your Projects

 

1. Clean the surface

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.

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. Sand the surface one more time with 150-grit sandpaper, and then vacuum well to remove all dust.

2. Thin the oil

A thinner will make the tung oil easier to apply, faster to dry, and will improve penetration. The only time you shouldn’t thin the oil first is if you’re applying it to weathered wood, concrete, old and unfinished wood floors, or other highly absorbent surfaces. To thin the oil, combine it with equal parts Citrus Solvent, mineral spirits, or Odorless Mineral Spirits before application. Do not use a mineral spirit or odorless mineral spirit marketed as “green”, “eco-friendly”, or similar verbiage. These do not mix with the tung oil and will create adverse effects on your finish. You could also choose one of our pre-thinned options, Half & Half or Dark Half, to use straight out of the bottle!

3. Apply a generous first layer

You can apply the oil with a natural bristle brush, a sponge brush, or a soft and lint-free rag. Apply the oil liberally to the surface. Unlike varnish, which sits on top of the wood, the goal with tung oil is to thoroughly saturate the wood cells. When you’ve applied the first coat, let the oil absorb.

4. Apply subsequent coats

After the first coat has absorbed, apply a second coat. Continue this process of applying coats, waiting 40 minutes between coats if necessary, until over 80 percent of the surface stays glossy for at least 40 minutes. 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.

5. Removing unabsorbed oil from the surface.

After you’ve applied multiple coats and the wood won’t absorb any more oil, use a clean rag to wipe the surface. If there are any puddles of oil on the surface, mop them up with the rags. This is important as you don’t want the tung oil to start curing on the surface.

At this point, your surface is fully saturated. However, the pure tung oil will settle inside the wood/material overnight on through the next day. To get the best finish we recommend applying one or two more coats of the oil, following the instructions previously stated, after this period of waiting. Make sure to wipe up oil that’s on the surface that does not absorb. Hang oil-soaked rags separately outside to dry before disposing.

6. Let the oil cure for up to 30 days

From here, the oil will need a week to 10 days to start curing, and 15 days to 30 days to fully cure. Do not put the tung oiled object in direct sunlight for an extended period of time. For the first 10 days of curing, check and wipe up any tung oil that may seep to the surface. During this curing time, you can walk on floors with clean shoes, but avoid placing heavy objects on the floor or walking on it with dirty shoes. (Tip: put old rags under your shoes to walk across the surface no matter what shoes you’re wearing.) There are no other sealers or protective products needed on top of your oil. It naturally seals, waterproofs, and protects your surfaces!

7. Cleaning your surfaces

Pure tung oil is easy to clean! For your floors or other wooden objects, just simply use hot water and standard dish soap. That’s it!

8. Reapply as necessary to revive and provide more protection

Surfaces that are used often or walked on frequently may need some maintenance to revive their look and add more protection. To do this, simply mix 2 parts thinner to 1 part tung oil and wipe down your surfaces. Allow time to dry as necessary.

Pure Tung oil has been popular for thousands of years, thanks to the protective and waterproof finish it creates on wood and other porous surfaces. These days, pure tung oil is also gaining momentum because it’s non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and food safe, meaning it’s ideal for kitchenware, butcher block, cutting boards, countertops, and even toys!

Applying tung oil is easy and effective! The main tips to remember are: don’t leave excess oil on the surface during the curing phase, no sanding necessary between coats, no other sealer or topcoats needed and use 2 parts thinner to 1 part tung oil for maintenance.