Traditionally, tung oil has been used on oak to maintain its colour, however, if you wish to darken the oak then hard wax oil is preferable. Danish oil is popular, historically, as a finish on oak as it brings out its rich tones, as well as preventing staining to the surface.
There are no requirements to treat oak and you can leave it untreated. That said, for outside structures, treating with an Osmo Oil 4001 WR base coat will defend oak against damp, mildew, rot, blue stain, and wood-boring insects. For the removal of tannin stains, you can spot clean with Oxalic Acid Crystals.
Tung oil is the perfect solution for oiling a oak worktop because it is effective at protecting a surface from water damage also it's food safe. If your worktop is new, you will need to check to see if it is treated with a oil.
Both tung oil and stain help enhance the look of the wood's natural characteristics, and they both provide protection. Tung oil is not the best choice for furniture that will see heavy use, but it will bring out the natural beauty and texture of the wood grain.
Shellac is widely used for sealing oak. One increasingly popular method for finishing oak is to apply an oil stain followed by a coat of shellac to seal the stain. Then fill any blemishes with a grain filler paste, followed by a gel stain. The final finish is a few coats of polyurethane.
Tung oil does enhance teak's natural colour by adding depth and warmth. Still, it does not significantly darken the wood, as it does with walnut.
Is it okay to leave hardwood floors unfinished? The answer is yes, you do not have to finish a hardwood floor! We call these raw wood floors.
Pros & Cons of Tung Oil as a Wood Finish
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. On the other hand, tung oil is expensive and susceptible to water rings, stains, and scratches.
Oak does not need to be oiled. Some people choose to oil or wax the frame if they have a colour and finish preference. Many people add a treatment in areas where there is a lot of moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Contrary to mineral oil, tung oil is a hardening oil which means it will only need to be treated once every few months or less. However, because this finish can take up to 30 days to fully cure and bond to the wood, it may not be the best option for surfaces that will be cut on frequently.
So if you're looking for a wood oil with either a matt finish, or being 100% natural and environmentally friendly is key, then Tung Oil is the best bet. Otherwise, for most surfaces we would actually recommend Danish Oil as it dries quicker and provides a harder wearing finish to wood.
Why Can't You Use Boiled Linseed Oil On Oak? Oak contains a high level of natural water-soluble extractives and tannins, and some of these can react with the metal driers in Boiled Linseed Oil, turning black and discolouring the wood. These black spots can appear similar to mould spots.
Likewise, tung oils resist mold and mildew growth better than boiled linseed oil. In fact, a polymerized linseed oil finish is often prone to mold and mildew, requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Estimated average life of sapwood varied from 9 years in sweetgum and lodgepole pine to 25 years in red oak, white oak and redwood.
As well as Oak, Danish Oil can be used on all types of wood including pine, beech, walnut. As our Danish Oil is completely non-toxic and food safe when dry, it can be used on any wood and in any environment, such as: Interior & Exterior Wood.
Traditionally, tung oil has been used on oak to maintain its colour, however, if you wish to darken the oak then hard wax oil is preferable. Danish oil is popular, historically, as a finish on oak as it brings out its rich tones, as well as preventing staining to the surface.
Product details. Tung Oil is an easy to apply durable coating for wood. Pure Tung Oil is a drying oil, which means it hardens on exposure to air and consequently may be used as a coating for wood. A good coating for exterior oak.
Traditionally, oak would be finished with oils based on Linseed oil (e.g., Danish Oil) or waxes containing beeswax (e.g., Supreme Wax) as these give a natural sheen but offer little by way of protection. Because of this, being harder wearing, Hardwax Oils are proving popular.
The MinWax product is a mixture of tung oil and varnish and will seal the wood. The whole idea of tung oil is that it penetrates the wood and the microscopic tubes and holes that contain air in dry wood but really soak up water.
Not before, between or after coats. A lot of sources will say you do, but I've found it's just not the case. Because I prep most surfaces these days with a blade, sanding has become rare in my shop. Tung oil doesn't require it for adhesion, smoothness, clarity, or gloss (tung can be built to a gloss/semi-gloss too).
It is NOT 100% tung oil and contains mineral spirits, which could totally ruin your initial conditioning of butcher block.
Three methods: varnish, oil and wax that will protect your furniture and that you can easily apply at home. The choice between varnish, oil and wax will depend on your personal preferences, the look you want for your furniture and the level of protection you need.
Does oak need to be treated before being used outdoors? Oak is perfectly fine to be left outside without any treatment — it is dimensionally stable and has a strong level of natural resistance to moisture and rot. Be warned, however, that it is a natural product.