Tung and teak oil are popular wood finishes. The question is: is one better than the other?
When researching oils for treating wood, there seems to be polarity among some woodworkers on whether tung oil vs teak oil is better. Both types of oils can help preserve teak wood, but they each have their unique qualities. So, how do you choose one from the other?
Below, I will share the differences between tung and teak oil and compare them side by side to help you understand their pros and cons.
Continue reading to learn which oil to use for treating your wooden furniture.
Tung Oil vs. Teak Oil: Overview
Before jumping into the detailed comparison of tung oil and teak oil, let us look at their applications.
The following is an overview of both wood finishes, including their pros and cons.
What Is Tung Oil?
Tung oil comes from the nuts of tung trees, hence its name. The hardwood is native to China, and its oil is popular for treating wooden boats in the area. This is why tung oil is also called China wood oil.
Tung oil leaves a durable coating on any wooden surface once hardened. This finish is highly resistant to water and alcohol. It also offers a nice sheen and a golden tint to the wood.
Finally, pure tung oil has a non-toxic finish. It is food-safe and ideal for treating tables, countertops, and cutting boards.
Pros and Cons of Tung Oil
This type of oil has the following advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- A durable and water-resistant coating
- It offers a golden tint to the wood
- It is non-toxic and food-safe
- It is versatile
Cons:
- It does not have a good shelf life
- It has a longer drying period
How to Apply Tung Oil?
Before using pure tung oil, note that you cannot apply it over different wood finishes. You must also ensure the surface is debris-free for proper oil absorption.
Once clean, consider sanding the wooden surface to make it smooth and even.
Apply tung oil with a lint-free cloth. Then, allow the lubricant to penetrate the wood grain.
After an hour, wipe off any excess tung oil. Then, let it dry for 24 hours or longer before using your wooden furniture or flooring.
What Is Teak Oil?
Teak oil sounds like it is derived from a teak tree native to tropical areas. But despite its name, it only uses a tiny amount of pure teak oil.
Instead, teak oil primarily contains tung and linseed oil. Meanwhile, some commercial teak sealers include mineral spirits and varnish. These ingredients can serve many purposes.
First, teak oil enhances the wood grain. It makes any wooden surface more attractive and shiny.
Additionally, this type of oil offers a protective coating. It can effectively resist moisture, UV rays, and weathering.
Finally, it is versatile to use both indoors and outdoors. It is ideal for furniture pieces, boats, decking, flooring, and more.
Pros and Cons of Teak Oil
Below are the benefits and drawbacks of using teak oil to treat wooden surfaces.
Pros:
- The protective layer can withstand moisture, UV rays, and harsh weather elements
- It enhances the appearance of the wood grain
- It strengthens wood to prevent cracks and splinters
- It has many applications
Cons:
- Toxic ingredients
- It can stain the wood
How to Apply Teak Oil?
Before anything else, prepare the wooden surface for oil application. Clean any dust and debris. You might also want to remove any existing finish on the wood with chemical solvents or strippers.
Next, use sandpaper to smoothen the surface.
Then, apply teak oil liberally using a brush or a clean cloth. Let the solution soak the wood grain for around 30 minutes.
After that, spread the second coating of oil. Leave the treatment area alone for 15 minutes before wiping away the lubricant. Use a clean, dry cloth for this step.
Finally, allow the wood grain to dry overnight.
Tung vs. Teak Oil Differences: Comparison
Now that we were through the properties of teak and tung oil, it is time to compare them.
Below, I will discuss a category and reveal the winner at the end of each one. It will help you choose the best wood oil for your needs.
Protective Quality
Both tung and teak oil offer a protective layer against moisture and weathering. However, the latter has better performance overall.
Teak oil leaves a harder coating on the wood grain than a tung finish. This protective shell is stronger and more resistant to UV rays and scratches. It also slows down the natural graying process of wood to keep its beautiful look for a long time.
That being said, tung oil is still effective in protecting the wood grain. It is just that teak oil has a more durable coating.
Verdict: Teak oil wins
Moisture Resistance
Tung oil contains 100% natural oil from tung trees. That makes it highly resistant to water and moisture. Thus, it can prevent the wood from bending, twisting, and warping.
Unfortunately, the same does not apply to teak oil. While it uses a concentration of tung and linseed oil, it also has a mixture of other ingredients. These can dilute the properties of the oil, which seals wood against moisture.
Overall, teak oil can still resist a certain amount of water, but it does not prevent mold. So if you live in a humid climate, consider tung oil over teak.
Verdict: Tung oil wins
Appearance
Tung and teak oil could not be any more different when it comes to their finish.
Pure tung oil gives a rich honey color to wooden surfaces. It also dries to a matte finish. Hence, it can highlight the grain patterns and give them depth. Moreover, tung oil penetrates even the densest hardwoods and remains the same shade for years.
On the other hand, teak oil is known for its satin finish. It can make any wooden surface look fresh with a single coat. Teak oil is also popular for restoring the natural beauty of old or weathered wood. The only downside is that it can darken hardwoods, especially porous ones.
Ultimately, choosing between tung and teak oil’s appearance will depend on your personal preference.
Verdict: A tie
Toxicity
As previously mentioned, tung oil comes from natural tung trees. Hence, it is a non-toxic and food-safe lubricant. It is ideal for those who want to treat wood without adding chemicals. It is also suitable for woodworking projects related to food.
In contrast, the formula of teak oil is not always pure and natural. It uses different oils and chemical additives that make it toxic and unsafe around food.
Verdict: Tung oil wins
Versatility
Tung and teak oil have many applications. These make them highly versatile wood finishing products.
Tung or China wood oil is safe to use for wooden kitchen utensils, like chopping blocks and bowls. It can also protect furniture pieces, cabinetry, countertops, and wooden toys, among others.
Meanwhile, teak oil is suitable for both exterior and interior wood surfaces. These include boats, decking, flooring, and wood furniture.
Verdict: A tie
Drying Time
Tung oil has a high concentration of pure oil. Hence, it takes a day or longer for the formula to dry completely.
In contrast, teak oil contains less natural oil. It offers faster drying times of less than 24 hours. It also allows you to add another coat within several minutes.
Teak oil is the clear winner if drying time is important to you.
Verdict: Teak oil wins
Ease of Use
Tung and teak oil are easy to apply. They do not require complicated steps to coat the wood grain. All they need is clean and even surface to work with.
However, teak oil dries faster, making it easier to apply another layer of lubricant. It allows you to coat and seal an entire furniture piece in just one day.
So while this category is a close battle between tung vs. teak oil, the latter emerges victorious.
Verdict: Teak oil wins
Shelf Life
Tung oil dries and hardens when exposed to air. It also leaves a mess if you store it in hot or cold areas. So if you want your tung oil to last, use a tight-lid container and place it at moderate temperatures.
Alternately, teak oil can store relatively well due to its additive content. This wood finishing product has a shelf life of five years or more. Just ensure it is not contaminated with water because teak oil can still go bad.
Verdict: Teak oil wins
Price
Tung oil and teak are relatively close when it comes to pricing.
This fact might come as a surprise, considering that both wood finishes have different formulations.
However, the demand for these products remains at the same level. Some users prefer pure oils like tung, while others want enhanced oils, such as teak.
Expect to pay between $15 and $20 for 16 ounces of tung and teak oil.
Verdict: A tie
What Is Danish Oil? How Is It Different From Tung and Teak Oil?
Beyond teak and tung oil, you might have also encountered danish oil. So, what is this type of oil, and what makes it different?
Danish oil is similar to teak oil because it also uses a blend of different ingredients. It usually contains tung oil, polymerized linseed oil, and rosewood oil. However, its specific formula varies from one brand to another.
Furthermore, danish oil can protect wooden surfaces from moisture, UV light, and other harsh elements. Some blends even have a food-safe finish as long as they are completely cured. Even beyond these options, there are various teak finishes you can consider for your project.
Conclusion
That concludes the differences between tung and teak oil! As you can tell, it is difficult to determine the clear-cut winner in the tung vs. teak oil debate. The choice entirely depends on your needs and personal preferences.
Both products can enhance the wood’s finish and protect them from weathering. They are also easy to apply and versatile. However, tung is non-toxic and food-safe for the kitchen and dining area. It also prevents mold and water stains. On the other hand, teak oil is an excellent option for furniture and flooring. It has a quicker drying time and better storage performance.
Be sure to check out the best teak oils for finishing your teak.
