So, how do you choose between tung oil vs. linseed oil?
Which one is better for yourwood furniture refinishing project?
What Is Tung Oil?
Getty Images / pglover
It hardens when exposed to air, looking transparent, wet, or wrinkled (raw tung oil).
Raw tung oil is boiled to prevent the wrinkled look.
It dries clear, has high water resistance, and lasts long.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
What Is Linseed Oil?
This colorless or yellowish oil takes a long time to dry.
Its most significant advantages are that it is inexpensive and has a shiny sheen.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The following chart lists the qualities of the oils based on the purest forms.
Pay close attention to product labels before use.
Varieties of Linseed Oil
What Are VOCs?
Tung Oil (L) vs. Linseed Oil (R)The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
VOCs is the common shorthand name for volatile organic compounds.
These chemicals have a high vapor pressure at room temperature, causing them to off-gas after program.
For this reason, items with VOCs require more time for off-gassing before they should be used.
If so, it needs more time.
A blend of tung oil and linseed oil with other additives is called Danish oil.
It’s favored by woodworkers for its sealing abilities, varnish, and shine.
It also works well on concrete floors, stone, brick, and bamboo.
Juita, Dlugogorski BZ, Kennedy EM, Mackie JC.
Low temperature oxidation of linseed oil: a review.
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