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Some handy tips for identifying and using tung oil finishes plus a list of products.
How many coats of tung oil should be used?
While there are many advantages to using it, pure tung oil takes two to three days to harden, and needs at least five coats. Oil/varnish blends and wiping varnishes are faster-drying, more practical options, but such terms rarely appear on labels. For help picking a finish, see below.
Which Tung Oil Is Food Safe?
All-natural Tung oil, which is also known as pure Tung oil, is food safe. If Tung oil is mixed with finish-improving agents or quick-drying chemicals, it can be toxic. The best way to check if a specific Tung oil finish is food safe is to look for “FDA food-safe” in its product information.
When you choose Tung oil for a food finish, you have two options. The first is to get a finish that takes longer to cure but is food safe. The other is to get a chemical-laced finish that dries much quicker but can be toxic.
FAQ
Which tung oil is food safe?
Can you use Minwax tung oil on a cutting board?
Is Minwax tung oil really tung oil?
