The best way to protect wooden products is natural oil. There are several oils that have been proven for centuries, one of them is tung oil. Get it from the fruits of the tung tree.
Origin
The tung tree is also called the oil tree, it is common in China, Japan, where its range is natural, and is grown in Australia, Canada, East Asia and some other regions. More than 500 thousand tons of tung nuts are collected annually, of which about 91 thousand tons of oil are produced. Tung oil by Chinese and Japanese cabinetmakers has been used for several centuries, perfectly preserving both works of wooden art and simple household items.
They also impregnated fabrics with oil to give them water-repellent qualities, later they were used for sewing shoes, rain umbrellas, camping tents. Tung oil was indispensable in the construction of ships - boards were impregnated with it, and the cake obtained after squeezing the mixture in a mixture with bamboo chips, lime and oil served as putty for the 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, tung polymerizes not only on the surface of the product, but in the mass of wood, where it quickly penetrates.
The main properties of tung oil:
- environmentally friendly natural product;
- gives water-repellent qualities to wood;
- protects wood from fungus, mold;
- penetrates deeply and quickly into the layers of the tree;
- forms a polymer film on the surface of the tree;
- almost does not yellow the product;
- emphasizes the natural pattern of wood;
- reliably protects a surface from attrition;
- 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 a single-layer coating.
In Russia there are no places where the tung tree grows, but this does not hinder the purchase of tung oil. The price of one liter ranges from 825 rubles. up to 2 289 rub. The cost depends on the manufacturer.
Protection for a wooden house
Tung oil is used to protect wood products subject to external influences. Oil-treated wood is excellently preserved, long-lasting and does not lose its qualities, beauty under the influence of rain, frost, heat, dry air and sudden changes in temperature. These preservative qualities make it possible to forget about repair work for wooden flooring in arbors, open verandas and unheated rooms for a long time.
Houses made of timber treated with tung oil last a long time, oil keeps the timber solid, antiseptic properties protect the wood from rotting, mold, fungi. The pathogenic flora cannot reproduce on the surface and in the mass of wood.
Luxurious furniture
Wooden furniture treated with tung tree oil has been serving for many generations: it does not fade over time, preserves the beauty and depth of the wood pattern. At flea markets you can sometimes find antique furniture of Italian, Russian production with stunningly finished wooden inserts, legs, plates, or made of solid wood. Almost all the details of such furniture were treated with tung oil; they had not been used before. The reviews of masters using tung oil in their work once again confirms long-proven qualities, which allows us to be sure of the excellent result of their work.
Modern restoration work is not complete without this natural preservative for wooden products. Covering with authentic impregnation new details to replace lost or restored, the master revives the interior to a later life. Wooden furniture, new or old, will last a long time and will please many generations of the family. But if there is a desire to paint the product, then the paint with natural ingredients will easily lie on the treated surface, which will additionally protect wooden parts.
Other applications
The properties of the oil are such that they protect the tree in the most severe conditions, for example, in sea salt water. The high water-repellent qualities of wood treated with tung oil are successfully applied not only in the construction of houses or ships, boats, but also in more utilitarian places, for example, in the bathroom or in the kitchen. The thin film on the surface of the wood is very resistant, so tung oil can easily save parquet, floorboards, steps from abrasion.
They are loved for the numerous and undeniable qualities of tung oil and masters who make musical instruments. According to their reviews, only this type of oil gives the violins a unique satin shine, positively affects the sound of the instrument, making each of them unique. These properties were used by both ancient masters and our contemporaries, who are reverently related to the traditions of tool manufacturing.
Tung oil paints and varnishes
Paints and varnishes, including tung oil, are characterized by high resistance and high consumer qualities. Tung oil, mixed with linseed oil, allows you to get an impregnating mixture for wood, enhancing the quality of each of them. The addition of tung tree oil to varnishes, paints and enamels makes these finishing materials more durable, resistant to alkalis, acids and other aggressive environments.
On the surface of products painted or varnished with compositions based on tung oil, a strong polymer film is formed that is resistant to minor mechanical damage, stress abrasion, and water and moisture. Using pure oil takes about a day to dry before the next work. Varnishes, paints based on tung oil dry much faster, which speeds up the finishing work without compromising on quality.
Mode of application
Putting tung oil into practice is very simple. It is important to properly prepare the wooden surface for processing. The wood is sanded with fine grain sandpaper. Before applying oil, the product must be thoroughly dried: if you process a wet tree, you will not be able to avoid fungus and rot. The best temperature for work is +15 degrees Celsius. The oil is applied to the surface with a thin layer, after drying, the procedure must be repeated.
Full absorption and drying after processing makes 24 hours. Oil is applied with a brush or rags, moving along wood fibers. After absorption, the surface is polished with a soft natural cloth, this allows you to remove excess impregnation and gives a satin shimmering shine. Another positive quality is the resistance of the oil to low temperatures, it does not lose its properties if stored in an unheated room, and retains all qualities during freezing. It can be stored for about five years.
Security
Tung oil has a characteristic, not very pleasant smell. Many say that it is too sharp. In general, the oil is harmless. The tools used in the work are easily washed with turpentine or gasoline. But most often they use an old rag to work with oil, which they throw away without regret.
To fully comply with safety precautions, moisten the used fabric with water to prevent accidental ignition, and place it in a plastic bag. Hands and body parts that have been exposed to natural impregnation are easily washed with warm water and simple soap. If oil gets into your eyes, be sure to rinse them with plenty of cool water.