TUNG OIL, Our element with which we treat wood.
Published on June 25 2021
What is it? and What is it for?
Tung oil or China wood oil is a drying oil obtained by pressing the seed of the nut of the tung tree(Vernicia fordii). The tung oil hardens after exposure to air (through polymerization), the resulting coating is transparent and has a deep, almost wet appearance. Mainly used for finishing and protecting wood, after numerous coats, the finish brings out the beauty and natural feel of the wood. Tung Oil for furniture NordicStory is the best option to take care of them in the most correct and useful way.
Flaxseed, safflower, poppy and soybean oils are oils related to drying. The oil and its use are believed to have originated in ancient China and appear in writings from around 400 BC.
The oil is heated gas-tight, and most oils used for coating are gas-tight, also known as "boiled".
History
The tung oil tree originates in southern China and was cultivated there for tung oil, but the date of cultivation remains unknown.
During the Song dynasty, tung oil was used to waterproof ships.
The word "tung" is etymologically derived from Chinese (桐 tóng).
The earliest references for the Chinese use of tung oil are in the writings of Confucius around 500 to 400 BC.
Uses
Tung oil is very popular today because of two properties; first, it is a naturally occurring substance. Secondly, after it cures (5 to 30 days, weather/temperature related), the result is a very hard finish and easy to repair, so it is used on boat decks and now in furniture.
The oil is often thinned with a hydrocarbon thinner, so its viscosity is very low and allows the oil to penetrate the finer grained woods. This thinning vehicle evaporates in 15 to 20 minutes. When applied in many thinner/thinner coats on wood, tung oil slowly cures to a matte/light satin appearance with a slight golden tint.
Tung oil resists water better than any other pure oil finish and does not darken noticeably with age. It is claimed to be less susceptible to mildew than linseed oil. Caring for oak furnitureWhen caring for oak furniture, the use of Tung oil provides a beautiful, long-lasting appearance.
