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.
Lacquer Cabinet Finish
It's one of the most durable finishes available, and it creates a high-gloss, sleek appearance. Durability: Lacquer is extremely durable, offering excellent protection against moisture, heat, and scratches.
Tung oil is superior to Linseed oil in every way. There's a reason why in 1943 Tung oil replaced linseed oil in US military arms production. Tung oil actually seals the wood and water proofs it. It also don't change colors over time like linseed oil. It also doesn't break down and sweat during rapid fire under heat.
Raw linseed oil is the purest form, but is sometimes impractical as a furniture finish due to the extended drying times- it can take several weeks for each coat of raw linseed oil to cure. Boiled linseed oil is common as a wood finish, but contains some potentially hazardous drying compounds.
Whilst there are many 'old school' wood oils, the most commonly used are without a doubt Danish oil, Teak oil, Tung oil and to a lesser degree Linseed oil. There is no set formula for Teak or Danish oil meaning that they can vary from brand to brand.
In addition, cabinet painters choose paints with the optimal shine. High-gloss and semi-gloss paints work best on cabinets because they have a stronger finish when compared to other sheens. They are also easier to clean and maintain than a matte finish.
You can also choose between varnish or polyurethane for kitchen cabinet protection. Polyurethane is a plastic-like topcoat that applies clear and offers ultimate durability against dirt and damage. Varnish is similar but adds a glossier film that gives it additional protection against high-moisture areas.
Moisture-Cured Urethane. Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors.
No additional sealer is needed as the tung oil naturally seals and offers waterproof protection.
Minwax Clear Interior Tung Oil (1-pint) 47500000 at Lowes.com.
Like tung oil, linseed oil has an ancient history — but one with even more versatile uses than the former. Used for food as flax and flaxseed oil, this finishing oil can be found in numerous everyday products, including as an ingredient for oil-based paints and in its fabric form, linen.
Some of the benefits and uses of Murphy's Oil Soap are: It smells fresh; it cleans without leaving a soapy residue as long as you do not use too much; cuts through grease that you may encounter on cabinets and paneling; great in luke warm water for wood floors (not laminate). I love, love, love Murphy's Oil Soap.
Stripping the old stain or lacquer and replacing it with a shiny new coat is a great way to bring life back into your wood grain kitchen cabinets. Adding that glossy look also helps them to reflect natural light and make your kitchen appear brighter.
Semi-Gloss Finish
As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing. Semi-gloss finishes like polyurethane are known for their easy application and high durability.
We recommend using one of two products: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel or Benjamin Moore's Advance. Both of these products will give your cabinets a much longer paint lifespan because they're specifically designed for painting cabinets and trim.
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, the most popular sheens are usually satin and semi-gloss. Here's why: Satin: Satin finishes are a favorite because they provide a soft shine that adds a touch of elegance without being too flashy.
The best clear coat for kitchen cabinets is typically a polyurethane finish, which is known for its durability and resistance to scratches, heat, and moisture. Both oil-based and water-based polyurethanes are popular choices, with water-based options being favored for their lower odor and faster drying time.
Semi-Gloss Finish
As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing.
The most common type of wood protector is a polyurethane varnish, which is basically like covering your wood cabinets in thin–but strong–plastic. You can put a poly varnish on floors, cabinets, and pretty much any wood piece that you want to protect.
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.
The Best Interior Wood Oil. When it comes to applying a wood oil to interior wooden floors and furniture, we highly recommend Osmo Polyx-Oil Original. This is a wood oil that is highly durable, water and dirt resistant , microporous, allowing it to naturally breathe to prevent cracking, peeling or flaking.
Modified Tung Oil is fast drying, hard, and resistant to water, acid, alkali, and mildew. One of the most durable of all-natural oils. An ideal oil finish for new or stripped wood furniture.