Tung oil: production, application, properties, reviews

The best way to protect wooden products is natural oil. There are several oils that have proved themselves over the centuries, one of them is tung oil. Get it from the fruits of the tung tree.

Origin

Tung tree is also called an oil tree, it is common in China, Japan, where its range is natural, and grown in Australia, Canada, East Asia and some other regions. Annually more than 500 thousand tons of tuna nuts are collected, of which about 91 thousand tons of oil are produced. Tung oil is used by Chinese and Japanese cabinetmakers for several centuries, perfectly preserving both works of wooden art and simple household items.

Also impregnated with oil were fabrics to give them water repellent qualities, later they were used for sewing shoes, umbrellas from rain, field tents. Tung oil was indispensable in the construction of ships - they impregnated the boards, and obtained after pressing the cake mixed with bamboo shavings, lime and oil served as shpaklevkoy for ships. In medicine, oil was used as an emetic, it is part of medicinal ointments that help in the treatment of burns, abscesses of varying severity.

Properties and price

Tung oil for wood is ideal. Unlike most oils used for wood processing, the tungsten polymerizes not only on the surface of the product, but in the mass of the tree, where it quickly penetrates.

The main properties of tung oil:

• Ecologically pure natural product;
• Imparts water-repellent qualities to wood;
• Protects wood from fungus, mold;
• Deeply and quickly penetrates into the layers of the tree;
• Forms a polymer film on the surface of the tree;
• Almost no yellowing of the product;
• Emphasizes the natural pattern of wood;
• Reliably protects the surface from abrasion;
• Suitable for any kind of wood;
• The use of oil does not require additional effort or knowledge;
• Low material consumption: about 100-150 grams per square meter of single-layer coating.

In Russia, there are no places where the tree of the Tunga grows, but it does not hurt to buy tung oil. The price of one liter ranges from 825 rubles. Up to 2 289 rubles. The cost depends on the manufacturer.

Protection for a wooden house

Tung oil is used to protect wood products exposed to external influences. The wood processed by the oil is perfectly preserved, long serves and does not lose its qualities, beauty under the influence of rain, frost, heat, dry air and sudden temperature changes. These preserving qualities allow you to forget about repair work for a long time when flooring wooden floors in arbors, open verandas and unheated rooms.

Houses of the timber processed with tung oil, serve for a long time, the oil keeps the timber whole, antiseptic properties protect the wood from decay, mold, fungi. Disease-creating flora can not reproduce on the surface and in the mass of wood.

Luxury furniture

Wooden furniture, processed with tung wood oil, serves many generations: it does not fade with time, preserves the beauty and depth of the wood pattern. On flea markets, you can sometimes find antique furniture of Italian, Russian production with stunningly finished wooden inserts, legs, patches, or made of solid wood. Almost all the details of such furniture are processed with tung oil, before the other was not used. Feedback from masters using tung oil in their works, once again confirms the long-proven qualities, which allows you to be sure of the excellent result of your work.

Modern restoration works can not do without this natural preservative for wooden products. Covering the authentic impregnation with new parts instead of lost or restored, the master revives the subject of the interior for later life. Wooden furniture, new or antique, will serve for a long time and will please many generations of the family. But if there is a desire to paint the product, the paint with natural ingredients will easily lie on the treated surface, which additionally protects the wooden parts.

Other applications

The properties of the oil are such that they protect the tree under the most severe conditions, for example, in sea salt water. High water-repellent qualities of wood processed with tung oil, are successfully used not only for the construction of houses or ships, boats, but also in more utilitarian places, for example, in the bathroom or in the kitchen. Thin film on the surface of the wood is very resistant, therefore tung oil will easily save parquet, floorboard, steps from abrasion.

For many and indisputable qualities, the oil of the tunga and the master making musical instruments are loved. According to their reviews, only this kind of oil gives violins a unique satin shine, positively affects the sound of the instrument, making each of them unique. These properties were used by ancient masters as well as by our contemporaries, who are very concerned with the traditions of making tools.

Paintwork materials with tung oil

Paintwork materials, which include tunga oil, are distinguished by their high resistance and high consumer qualities. Tung oil, mixed with linseed oil, makes it possible to obtain an impregnating mixture for wood, which enhances the quality of each of them. The addition of tung wood oil to varnishes, paints and enamels makes these finishes more durable, resistant to alkalis, acids and other corrosive environments.

On the surface of products painted or lacquered with tung oil, a strong polymer film is formed that is resistant to small mechanical damage, to stress abrasion, to water and moisture. The use of pure oil takes about 24 hours to dry before the next work. Varnishes, tung oil based paints dry much faster, which speeds up the finishing work without sacrificing quality.

Mode of application

The use of tung oil in practice is very simple. It is important to properly prepare the wooden surface for processing. The wood is sanded with fine grain sandpaper. Before the application of the oil, the product must be thoroughly dried: if a moist wood is treated, it will not be possible to avoid fungus and rotting. The best temperature for work is +15 degrees Celsius. The oil is applied to the surface by a thin layer, after drying, the procedure must be repeated.

Complete soaking and drying after treatment is 24 hours. The oil is applied with a brush or rags, moving along the wood fibers. After soaking, the surface is polished with a soft natural cloth, this allows you to remove excess impregnation and gives satin shimmering luster. Another positive quality is oil resistance to low temperatures, it does not lose its properties, if stored in an unheated room, freezes retain all the qualities. It can be stored for about five years.

Security

Tung oil has a characteristic not very pleasant smell. Many people say that it is too harsh. In general, the oil is harmless. Tools used in work are easily washed with turpentine or gasoline. But most often for work with oil use an old rag, which without regret is thrown out.

For complete safety, use the cloth with water to avoid accidental ignition, and put it in a plastic bag. The hands and parts of the body that have been exposed to natural impregnation are easily washed with warm water with a simple soap. If oil gets into your eyes - be sure to rinse them with plenty of cool water.