Replies

1. 
   Charles_Swift | Feb 14, 2000 10:02pm | #1

   *
   My experiences are pretty similar to Mr Stephan's. Not much found on the internet on Tung Oil, and local hardware store paint dept employees helpful, but not very knowledgeable.
   Specifically, I have one of those kitchen tables with the butcher block-like tops and white frame &legs. The wood on the top appears good quality, but in need of refinishing. I need to know if Tung Oil would be a suitable finish for a kitchen table which sees a lot of use, and is also occasionally envolved in food preparation.

1. 
   CStanford_ | Feb 15, 2000 07:30pm | #2

   *Pure tung oil is not used that often in an unthinned state. I'd suggest using Minwax Teak Oil or Behr Scandinavian Oil as they are both a linseed and tung oil blend. They'll be nontoxic when dry. Application is easy, you keep the surface thoroughly wetted for about 20 minutes and then vigorously wipe off all the excess oil that did not soak in. Wait a day and do it again. Wait a day and then do it again. Buff very thoroughly after your last coat and apply a good quality paste wax (unless you are working on a cutting board). Don't be confused by the use of the term Teak; it'll work on other wood just fine. The Behr product is available at most Home Depot stores. It has a UV inhibitor, so I'm not exactly sure about it's use on a cutting board.If I was finishing a cutting board I would probably simply use mineral oil from the drug store anyway. Guaranteed food safe as mineral oil is used as a laxative. Perfectly inert substance.

1. 
   Don_Carr | Feb 12, 2001 08:10pm | #3

   *I have used Minwax Tug Oil Finish on a cutting board. While it is listed as a safe (http://www.taunton.com/f./features/materials/7edible.htm) the warnings on the can cause me to hesitate. Things like "fatal if swallowed", "avoid contact with skin", "vapors may be harmful", etc... Is it really safe and, if so, how long should I wait after using it before I can start using the board for food preparation.

1. 
   CStanford_ | Feb 12, 2001 09:40pm | #4

   *In theory it is safe after all the solvents have evaporated. I'd wait about a month before I was tempted to use it for its intended purpose if you used the product you mentioned. Better yet, I'd use pure, unthinned tung oil or mineral oil on the next one.

1. 
   Don_Stephan | Feb 26, 2001 03:22am | #5

   *The finish was especially slow to build when I used the Minwax tung oil finish - apparently the tung oil is very diluted. Build much faster using pure tung oil.

2. 
   Howard_Acheson | Mar 02, 2001 11:47pm | #6

   *Don, there is no real tung oil in Minwax's "Tung Oil Finish". It is an oil/varnish product very similar to Watco. Unless a product label specifically states either "100%" or "Pure" it probably contains no tung oil at all.You may want to go here and read "Linseed & Tung Oil" and "Slick Marketing." http://members.home.net/jdkx2/links.htm

3. 
   Mike_Taylor2 | Mar 06, 2001 05:14am | #7

   *CStanford -The local Home Depot here on the west side of Houston has quit carrying all Behr products except for latex paint. I once complained to them about a Behr water based stain and the clerk told me they were going to quit carrying Behr stains. Sure enough, they did, plus all other Behr products except for the latex paint.The Behr water based stains do not apply well in hot humid climates. Or, at least not the ones I've tried.