Is Tung Oil Suitable For Exterior Coatings?

Tung oil, an oil extract from the seeds of the Tung tree, is a natural, eco-friendly finishing oil that protects wood from moisture, insect attacks, cracks, and dents while enhancing its natural beauty. Originating in China, it is one of the only truly natural drying oils that can be freely used on exterior wood. Tung oil is slow curing, taking up to 30 days to dry. Woodworkers love tung oil finishes because they enhance wood’s natural beauty and provide excellent protection.

Tung oil is best suited for achieving a durable and waterproof coating without the need for extra coatings such as sealer or varnish. It is known for its ability to apply several layers to create a solid, deep exterior finish. When applied properly, tung oil penetrates deeply into the wood fiber and becomes a durable and waterproof finish.

Tung oil is an excellent finish for any type of wood, working well with both softwood and hardwood furniture. It is eco-friendly, flexible, food-safe, and durable with waterproofing ability. When combined with linseed oil, tung oil provides several benefits for protecting wood patios, wooden pools, and other projects.

For optimal durability against water and sun damage, marine-grade tung oil is recommended. Tung oil offers several advantages over linseed oil, including a food-safe, water-resistant finish that is not prone to mold and a beautiful matte amber color. However, tung oil has somewhat more resistance to moisture than linseed oil, but both are not very effective in preventing moisture damage.

What is the disadvantage of tung oil finish?

Tung oil is a natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly wood finish that offers numerous benefits such as being food safe, non-yellowing over time, easy to apply, and easy to repair dents and scratches. However, it is also susceptible to water damage, stains, and scratches, making it more expensive than linseed oil. Additionally, it requires up to five coats to achieve a satin sheen, making it more durable than linseed oil. Despite these drawbacks, tung oil remains a popular choice for craftsmen looking to enhance their wood furniture.

What is the most durable finish for outdoor wood?

Epoxy finishes are a popular choice for boat builders due to their ability to create a thick, water-impermeable barrier on wood surfaces. However, they lack UV protection, which can cause the epoxy to yellow and crack. To prevent this, it is necessary to overcoat the finish with a spar varnish or polyurethane with UV inhibitors. This makes epoxy the most expensive and labor-intensive choice. Some epoxy manufacturers offer spar varnishes that work with their products, eliminating concerns about compatibility.

Epoxy finishes are best on flat surfaces easily accessible from all sides, but avoid projects with complex moldings, crevices, or closely spaced slats. To bond with epoxy, sandpaper or a round-over bit in the router should be used, and smooth surfaces should be sanded.

Can tung oil be used outside?

Tung oil is a polymerized oil used in outdoor finishing products, such as wooden patios and decks. It binds directly to exterior flooring and can resist water, alcohol, acetone, and chlorine from outdoor pools. The oil layer is flexible, adjusting to the expansion and contraction of the wooden deck during winter. It does not rot and does not rancid. Tung oil is easy to maintain, as its successive layers are compatible, requiring only cleaning accumulated dirt and returning to the oil finish for sanding-free maintenance.

Livos, a company that values transparency, human health, product quality, and a sustainable economy, uses tung oil in their products ALIS 579 and DONNOS 223, which has inspired confidence for millennia. Tung oil is safe for human health, a quality product, and perfectly fits into the sustainable economy development.

Is tung oil finish waterproof?

Tung oil is a unique natural finish that provides warmth and shine, making it ideal for woodenware due to its waterproof and food-safe properties. Other natural finishes include sap-made lacquer, paint made with milk and ink from natural glue, and fermented juice that weatherproofs wood and can make paper strong enough for clothes. Peter Spaulding, a self-taught designer maker from southern California, has a small home workshop and creates a variety of pieces from furniture, boxes, sculptures, vases, vessels, platters, and spoons. He began his career in woodwork building houses but now focuses on creating unique and varied pieces.

How long does tung oil last?

Pure Tung Oil has an indefinite shelf-life and should be stored in an airtight container, preferably metal or glass, to prevent oxygen from affecting the product. Store it out of direct sunlight and in a temperature-resistant area. Surfaces finished with Pure Tung Oil are easy to maintain, using a dry microfiber cloth for light cleaning and mild soap, Waterlox Cleaners, or vinegar for deeper cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals, baking soda, and strong solvents, as well as other wood floor cleaners and oil soaps.

Pure Tung Oil will eventually form a permanent film, which will wear away with use, cleaning, and exposure. Outdoor surfaces and heavily used surfaces may need touch-ups sooner than lightly used surfaces. More decorative surfaces may never need maintenance. When the surface appears dull or dry, apply a maintenance coat.

Will tung oil protect wood outside?

Tung oil, when combined with linseed oil, offers numerous benefits for exterior finishes, including protecting wood patios, wooden pools, and house and shed cladding. The combination of linseed oil and solvents makes application easy and creates an impermeable layer, allowing wood to breathe. However, pure tung oil requires thin layers (6-8) to penetrate the wood’s pores. Livos offers a low-toxicity solvent, which does not cause allergic reactions or induce headaches when inhaled, except when contact with the lungs.

This makes it a safer alternative to traditional solvents like turpentine, naphtha, or xylene. Overall, tung oil provides flexibility in external finishing products, but it must be applied in thin layers to ensure proper penetration and safety.

Which is better, teak oil or tung oil?

Tung oil offers a durable, water-resistant finish that is superior to teak oil, but may require frequent reapplication, especially outdoors. Teak oil provides a tougher, scratch-resistant finish, especially on hardwoods, and dries to a harder finish, making it suitable for surfaces with heavy use. Tung oil is more versatile due to its natural, non-toxic properties, allowing it to penetrate wood deeply without forming a surface layer. It is also better for preserving the original color of wood, as it doesn’t discolor it, unlike teak oil, which can sometimes darken it, especially on porous types.

Does tung oil protect from UV?

When not refined, tung oil offers minimal protection from the effects of ultraviolet radiation and provides only a modest degree of weather resistance.

Does tung oil leave a shiny finish?

As its name indicates, pure tung oil is free from additives and distillates, resulting in a honey-colored finish that is neither glossy nor heavy.

Does tung oil protect against weather?

Tung oil, an environmentally friendly product that resists water and does not significantly darken with age, has been utilized for centuries to create a water-resistant finish for boats and other wooden objects.

Does tung oil hold up in the sun?

Pure Tung Oil is a durable and long-lasting finish that doesn’t crack, chip, or peel. It’s a natural finish that gradually wears away due to sun exposure. To maintain it, clean the surface well and apply more tung oil when it starts to look dry or water doesn’t bead up. Touch-ups are usually required yearly or more often in harsh environments. Both Marine Finishes and Pure Tung Oil are suitable for outdoor projects without direct sunlight. TRUETONE and ORIGINAL products are also suitable for non-climate controlled surfaces, but lack UV resistance. They’re suitable for porch ceilings and indoor wooden furniture.