If you are looking for ways to preserve wood, whether it is wood that has already been oiled or unfinished wood, the initial options you will come across are tung oil and linseed oil. These oils, which are derived from natural sources, are commonly utilized to complete woodworking projects, as well as to finish wooden furniture, floors, and outdoor structures such as decks and porch railings.
Both tung oil and linseed oil fall under the category of drying oils and both achieve a penetrating finish that is smooth and not sticky to the touch through oxidation rather than evaporation. However, despite these similarities, there are distinctions between these oils and valid reasons to prefer one over the other.
Linseed Oil
Linseed oil, which is also referred to as flaxseed oil, is widely used as a wood finish. Similar to other hand-rubbed oil finishes, linseed oil penetrates deeply into the wood grain to shield it from scratches and variations in humidity. It is simple to maintain, environmentally friendly, and provides a satin finish that truly enhances the wood’s color and grain.
Raw linseed oil, although the purest form, can be impractical as a furniture finish because the curing process for each coat can take several weeks. Boiled linseed oil, commonly used as a wood finish, contains certain drying compounds that may be hazardous. On the other hand, polymerized linseed oil offers the advantages of being both pure and non-toxic, with the additional benefit of quick drying times.
Raw, polymerized, and boiled linseed oil are products obtained through distinct processes and at varying extents, originating from the flaxseed plant.
Tung Oil
Derived from the seeds of the tung tree in Eastern Asia, Tung oil is a plant-based oil widely used as a wood finish. Its clear and quick-drying properties allow it to penetrate the wood grain, thus enhancing and providing protection for the wood. With a history dating back centuries, Tung oil remains a highly popular and widely utilized wood finish globally. It has gained popularity among furniture craftsmen in the United States and beyond due to its eco-friendly nature, non-toxicity, and safety in contact with food.
The tung oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of the tung tree, which is native to Eastern Asia. The Chinese have been cultivating and utilizing this oil as a wood finish for a minimum of 2,500 years.
Just like linseed oil, finding furniture made with raw or 100% pure tung oil is challenging. Craftsmen often opt for boiled or polymerized tung oil, and manufacturers frequently mislabel products as tung oil when they are not. Therefore, if you desire a tung oil finish, it is advisable to research and ascertain the specific type of finish being used and its composition.
A craftsman may have various reasons to choose tung oil for finishing wood furniture. It possesses qualities such as being all-natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, while also not yellowing as significantly over time compared to popular finishes like linseed oil, nitrocellulose lacquer, or polyurethane varnishes. However, it should be noted that tung oil can be costly and vulnerable to water rings, stains, and scratches.
The Difference Between Linseed Oil and Tung Oil
When considering the steps, here are some important distinctions between linseed oil and tung oil, both of which are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and suitable for use with food due to their pure forms. These plant-based oil finishes have the ability to deeply penetrate and saturate the wood grain.
- Linseed oil carries a slight yellow tint, whereas tung oil dries to a clear finish
- Tung oil creates a harder, more durable finish than linseed oil
- Tung oil is more water-resistant than linseed oil
- Raw linseed oil takes significantly longer to cure than pure tung oil
- Tung oil is generally more expensive than linseed oil
The Difference Between Raw, Boiled, and Polymerized Linseed Oil
Raw linseed oil is the purest type but can be inconvenient for finishing furniture because it takes a long time to dry. Each coat can take several weeks to cure. Boiled linseed oil is frequently used as a wood finish but has some drying compounds that may be hazardous. Polymerized linseed oil combines the advantages of both: it is pure, non-toxic, and dries quickly.
Pros and Cons of Tung Oil and Linseed Oil
Similar to any other product, both pure tung oil and regular linseed oil have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. These positive and negative aspects can be found when considering the properties and characteristics that are significant for individuals involved in finishing raw wood and restoring already-finished pieces.
Drying Time
Tung oil, like Pure Tung Oil from the Real Milk Paint Co., dries through evaporation in a similar way to regular linseed oil. The curing periods for tung oils typically vary from seven days for light use to 30 days for regular use. In contrast, raw linseed oil takes a few weeks to a couple of months to dry completely.
The reason why most linseed oils are boiled is because it takes a long time to dry. However, before mass manufacturing, linseed oil was boiled to speed up the drying process.
Creating boiled linseed oil or polymerized linseed oil does not involve a heating process. In order to produce raw linseed oil, metallic drying agents are incorporated into the mixture, allowing the final product to cure in just one day. This eliminates the need to apply multiple thin coats that must fully dry before adding additional layers.
Color and Finish
A honey-like color is present in a pure tung oil finish, enhancing the wood grain’s natural beauty. On the other hand, linseed oil initially possesses a slightly yellow hue, which gradually transforms into a darker orangey finish.
Our tung oil products are a better choice when you need projects to keep their original appearance because they have the potential to change color. In terms of finish qualities, tung oil creates a flexible and glossy finish similar to plastic, whereas linseed oil creates a softer finish with a slight shine.
Thanks to the addition of a food contact safe all-natural resin, these finishing oil options provide a deeper look that enhances the wood grain, offering a richer finish compared to the honey hue of our Pure Tung Oil.
Durability and Safety
Tung oil provides superior protection compared to raw linseed oil, particularly for outdoor projects. Its protection is further enhanced when combined with pine oil and zinc, while still maintaining its food-safe properties like our other tung oil products. This lack of toxicity also makes tung oil finishes suitable for households with children and pets.
Tung oil has a significant advantage over pure linseed oil in terms of water resistance. This is because tung oil offers water resistance effortlessly, whereas linseed oil requires considerable effort to achieve the same. Consequently, tung oil is well-suited for various applications that involve handmade wood bowls, plates, butcher blocks, cutting boards, and any other food-related items that need to be regularly washed.
Furthermore, compared to boiled linseed oil, tung oils have a superior ability to withstand the growth of mold and mildew. In fact, a finish made from polymerized linseed oil is frequently susceptible to mold and mildew, which necessitates regular cleaning and upkeep.
If you don’t buy food-safe options, both polymerized linseed oil and straight linseed may contain contaminants, and a wood linseed oil finish with boiled linseed oil is also not safe for food.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, both boiled linseed oil and polymerized linseed oil are surpassed by tung oil. While straight linseed oil can be used on wood furniture projects and tung oil needs to be mixed with a solvent for better penetration, this slight inconvenience is worth it.
Pure tung oil can be applied using a brush, roller, or rag. It is important to wait for approximately 40 minutes between coats to let the oil absorb. Once multiple coats have been absorbed and the surface cannot absorb more oil, you can remove the excess and allow your project to cure.
Raw linseed oil requires more coats and a longer drying time compared to tung oil. Boiled linseed oil and polymerized linseed oil can expedite the process, but they contain drying agents and additives, necessitating more ventilation when using them as wood furniture finishes.
