Difference between teak oil and tung oil

What is tung oil?

Tung oil is a natural drying oil derived from the tung-tree nut that leaves a translucent, moist gloss on fine wood furnishings. It enriches the color of your wood while also providing exceptional protection and being environmentally friendly. Tung oil is a standard natural oil that has been used in woodworking for hundreds of years and is still one of the most popular finishes due to the various benefits it provides. 

Tung oil is one of the most well-known oil treatments for wood furniture. It’s a natural, eco-friendly wood finishing product derived from the crushed seeds of the tung tree. It’s different from other finishing oils in that it’s an excellent protective finish that shields your woodwork from the elements. It’s ideal for protecting bare and unpainted wood from staining and marking over time.

Tung Oil is an excellent choice for kitchen worktops, cooking equipment, children’s furniture, toys, and even outside wood-like decking.

What is teak oil?

Teak oil is a wood finisher that protects and nourishes wood. It penetrates the wood grain to provide a long-lasting, hard-wearing finish that protects and enhances the wood’s beauty. Teak oils is made from tung or linseed oil with other additions. In a sense, the oil feeds the timber, enhancing the texture and color. As a result, oiling the teak gives it a warm, rich appearance. 

Many individuals prefer to re-oil their teak because of the beauty it may restore. Teak Oil is a popular choice for wood finishing because it has numerous advantages. Teak oil is a slow-drying oil that might take up to 10 hours to dry. It protects various types of wood. Teak oil includes a polymer, which gives it a hard finish and makes it stronger.

Properties of teak oil

Rosewood, teak, and mahogany are all thick woods that benefit from teak oil. It creates a beautiful finish by penetrating deep into the wood’s pores. It produces a warm and dazzling light as a result of its application. Brushing, spraying, or wiping are the three methods for applying it.

Teak oil protects your woodwork from the inside out, preventing cracking, chipping, and peeling. After utilizing teak oil, the final product has a warm, organically hand-rubbed appearance.

Another advantage of teak is that it is suitable with various woods, including mahogany and rosewood; however, it performs best with thick woods.

Its versatility comes from the fact that it is suitable both outside and inside. Another advantage of using this oil is that it contains UV protectants, which protect it from sun damage. It’s also quick and straightforward to use.

Pros

• When working with dense forests, teak oil works effectively.
• The brush or rag application is simple.
• It won’t break or chip.
• Uses on the inside or outside
• It protects from the sun’s UV rays.

Cons

• It can have an impact on the original colour.
• It’s impossible to glue wood after applying it.
• You won’t be able to extend the life of your furniture.

Properties of tung oil

In ancient China, this has a long history of preserving wooden ships. Polymerized tung oil and altered tung oil are the two forms.

This oil finish penetrates the wood deeply, providing an impermeable coating that is water-resistant. It imparts a lustrous, somewhat darker aspect to the wood. It gives the wood a hard surface finish that makes it resistant to water and dust, alcohol, and acids.

Tung oil is a non-toxic treatment used on food-handling furniture like wood cutting boards and salad bowls. One of the pros of tung oil is that it is waterproof. It is adaptable in that it protects the wood as it expands or contracts.

It is simple to apply and does not irritate while doing so. When the first application wears out, you can reapply it. It is, above all, non-toxic and food-safe.

Tung oil has the disadvantage of taking a long time to dry, which can be inconvenient if you need to complete it quickly.

Because pure tung oil has low penetration, making wood fragile requires turpentine to promote penetration. Tung oil is difficult to store since it is susceptible to variations in temperature and light exposure, resulting in sticky deposits and a film around the container’s edges. When this occurs, you effectively waste the oil.

Pros

• More impervious to water
• Food-safe and non-toxic
• Flexible – protects the wood as it expands.
• Simple to use

Cons

• The drying time is too long.
• It doesn’t keep well.
• Pure tung oil does not infiltrate the wood.

When to use teak instead of tung oil

Teak oil works well on dense woods exposed to the elements. It may, however, alter the color of the wood. Outdoor furniture is the most popular application for teak oil. It will help protect the outdoor furniture from the sun by using teak oil. The strong finish lasts a long time and protects the wood from the elements. Because it is tough to break, the oil will not split or crack if the wood swells due to humidity. Teak oil may also be used on wood floors and will not chip if the furniture is slid across it. It will adhere to any flooring that you apply it to.

When to use tung instead of teak oil

Tung oil is essential to polish wood cutting boards, salad bowls, and wooden utensils because it is non-toxic. It does not affect the food that comes into contact with it, and it protects the wood from water and wet foods. Tung oil is suitable for furniture and floors, and it’s a beautiful choice if you live in a humid environment. It will prevent dampness from damaging your furniture and floors.

Price Comparison

Teak oil has been strengthened to match the price of tung oil, which is made entirely of natural ingredients and sourced from the tung tree. For 16 ounces, you may anticipate paying roughly $20 or $1 per ounce in bulk. You’ll discover that pure Tung oil is less expensive than teak oil. While the intensive marketing of teak oil may have influenced this price, the truth remains that teak oil is likely to cost more than pure Tung oil.

Which is more protective?

Teak oil wins since this is where the oil’s protective qualities are determined. While both teak and tung oil provides protection, teak oil provides a higher level of protection overall. It is scratch-resistant and works well on hardwoods. And this is not to say that tung oil is ineffective; it indicates that teak oil dries harder, resulting in a more robust protective layer. Teak oil is the most acceptable option if you want a firm finish.

Drying time

Tung oil takes longer to dry than teak oil. Tung oil can take up to three days to dry. Teak oil takes less than ten hours to dry. Furthermore, you can apply new coatings to teak oiled wood more frequently than tung oiled timber. After using the first application of teak oil, wait a few minutes before applying a second coat. With tung oil, though, you may have to wait several hours. Teak oil is the only viable alternative if drying time is crucial to you.

Shelf life comparison

A year’s worth of teak sealant is standard. You can find protective sealants to reduce the effects of the sun’s rays on your furniture. Allow your furniture to sit in the sun for two weeks to open up the grain before applying a teak sealer. And this will aid in the proper adhesion of the sealer. Teak oil has a 3-5 years shelf life, depending on how and where it is stored.

Pure tung oil that hasn’t been polymerized and hasn’t been added to dryers will last several years in a sealed can, but the ideal time is two years.

Water resistance

Tung oil is water-resistant because it is natural oil. Teak oil is less resistant to mold, although it can help prevent it. If you reside in an area with a lot of humidity, you should use tung oil instead of teak oil.

Which is food safe

In most cases, teak oil contains harmful compounds such as mineral spirits, turpentine, and varnish, making it unfit for consumption. Even if tung oil or linseed oil is the only component on a teak oil label, don’t assume it’s food-safe because these natural oils are often chemically processed and not pure. On the other hand, Tung oil is food-safe once adequately cured.

Required coats

You can reapply teak oil every few minutes, and two coats are usually sufficient. On the other hand, Tung oil will require at least five coats to get the same level of protection as two coats of teak oil.

What are the distinctions between tung and teak oils?

Tung oil is versatile due to its natural origins. It does not infiltrate wood, is safe to use, and you can treat the wood can after applying it. Teak oil is a different story. If you’re not sure whether to use tung oil or teak oil on wood, at the very least, you should know that tung oil is the safer option.

Tung oil takes longer to dry than teak oil. It takes up to three days to dry and less than ten hours to dry. Furthermore, you can apply new coatings to teak oiled wood more frequently than tung oiled timber. After using the first application of teak oil, wait a few minutes before applying a second coat. With tung oil, though, you may have to wait several hours. Teak oil is the only viable alternative if drying time is crucial to you.

Teak oil is simple to apply, recoat, and dry quickly. In just one day, you can thoroughly coat and dry the entire piece of furniture. Tung oil, on the other hand, is a different story.

Tung oil is non-toxic because it comes from natural ingredients. And this is a significant benefit for individuals who want gleaming wood without using chemicals. Teak oil contains chemicals that exist to give it that extra kick, making it potentially dangerous. The formula varies per brand, but the tung oil remains the same. Tung seed oil is a natural oil obtained from tung seeds. You can always bank on this when purchasing it in its purest form.

Tung oil vs linseed oil exterior

Teak oil protects the wood grain from UV radiation and water stains and is suitable for exterior and interior wood surfaces. You should remove excess oil from wood before the teak oil has dried and apply more coats every 24 hours. Several coats of linseed oil are necessary to get the desired finish, with ample drying time between each coat. Linseed oil is not ideal for use on exterior or exposed woods.

Tung oil or teak oil for outdoor furniture

Teak oil and Tung oil provide excellent surface protection for wood furniture. Tung oil makes wood waterproof, but teak oil goes further by preserving outdoor wood furniture from sun damage. Therefore, teak oil is a preferable option for covering outdoor wood furniture.

Can you put tung oil over teak oil?

It works, and you can go back to only teak oil if you like, but the tung oil isn’t much of a finish. Although suitable for oil-based stains, Tung oil finishes are usually applied to untreated wood. Other types of earlier finishes, such as varnish, must be eliminated because tung oil is penetrating oil. It must penetrate the wood’s pores and fibers.

Odour comparison

Tung oil has a moderately unpleasant odor for a few days after application. This stench fades over time, but some people report it lingers for an extended period. This scent is not discernible if you coat the tung oil with another finish, such as wax, shellac, lacquer, or polyurethane. Teak oil is an old natural wood oil made from purest pure tung oil and linseed oil for maximum natural protection and a glossier wood finish. The teak oil smell takes 1-2 weeks to develop, depending on temperature and humidity.

Price comparison

Because some people prefer pure oils and others prefer improved oils, this is a tie. Teak oil is robust to match the price of tung oil, which is made entirely of natural ingredients and sourced from the tung tree.

Longevity

Tung oil does not turn sour or yellow with age. While both teak and tung oil provides protection, teak oil provides a higher level of protection overall. It is scratch-resistant and works well on hardwoods. Teak oil wins since this is where the oil’s protective qualities are determined. And this is not to say that tung oil is ineffective; it indicates that teak oil dries harder, resulting in a more robust protective layer. Teak oil is the most acceptable option if you want a firm finish.

Use cases

Both oils are suitable to condition, protect, and treat wood. They can’t be used as cooking oils or as degreasers. Tung oil is a good treatment for timber that will be exposed to the outdoors. It’s commonly helpful to protect boat deck furnishings. It never turns sour or yellows with age. Teak oil finishing is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and you can apply it to non-teak wood goods.

Coats comparison

Periodic maintenance coatings for wood exposed to the elements can be applied as required throughout the season. On new or newly scrubbed and sanded teak, two coats of teak oil are usually sufficient for finish and protection. While pure tung oil has several advantages, it takes two to three days to solidify and requires at least five coatings.