Chinese oil on wood

[steveindenmark]

I am going to make a small outdoor kichen area in my koloniehave. I have bought a wooden sideboard to act as the table. This will stand under a porch during summer and indoors in the winter.

I would like to give it some protection against the elements. Although it is well sheltered.

Has anyone used Chinese oil on wood. It is supposed to be more eko than Danish oil?

 

[steveindenmark]

 

[Alex321]

Chinese oil is otherwise (and more commonly IME) known as Tung oil. Chinese oil is an older name, used because that is where it originated.

Danish oil often contains tung oil, plus other components (sometimes synthetic). Though sometimes it will hgave linseed oil as the primary ingredient.

Anywhere you would use Danish oil, Tung oil should also be suitable, but I'm afraid I've never used it - I always use Danish oil for anything I turn that needs a food safe finish, and am more likely to use waxes or friction polish on other items.

And yes, pure Tung oil probably is more ecological than Danish, as it doesn't contain the added solvents & resins that Danish usually has.

 

[Profpointy]

I've been impressed with Osmo
hard wax oil. Used it on tables / kitchen island as well as a newly sanded floor. To be fair I've not used it outdoors but it is good stuff

 

[si_c]

Rather than using an oil based finish, have you considered a natural varnish like shellac? It cures a lot quicker than something like linseed oil and you can add a lacquer finish to the top if you want it to be waterproof.

 

[Dadam]

I'd use a varnish on anything left outside permanently, something like yacht varnish. Oil finishes aren't usually particularly waterproof unless the oil has had a lot of time to soak deeply into the grain. That is a lot of coats (>10) and leave each coat to soak in and dry for several days, rubbing down in between. I've heard it said once a day for a week, once a week for a month, then once a month for a year. No experience with tung oil but with danish and the like, after the first couple of coats have soaked in, the subsequent ones take an age to dry and cure, and until cured the sticky residue will attract dust and probably you'll even find small insects stuck to it.

 

[Shortfall]

I've been impressed with Osmo
hard wax oil. Used it on tables / kitchen island as well as a newly sanded floor. To be fair I've not used it outdoors but it is good stuff

Have used Osmo on internal hardwood doors and floors and it looks great, is easy to apply and is incredibly!y hard wearing. Can't vouch for outdoor use however.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Pure Tung oil is very thick and not suitable for neat application on fine furniture. You may get away with it on rough, outdoor furniture but even then it needs dilution.

By eco, I suppose you mean eco-friendly.

Well, if you want to make omlettes you have to break eggs. Just break an egg and put some mineral spirits/turpentine in the pure oil 'till it is thin enough to go on nice and evenly. All these hydrocarbons, such as that in mineral spirits/turpentine substitute break down in the atmosphere to water and carbon dioxide quite quickly. No need to be over cautious with that.

 

[steveindenmark]

I'd use a varnish on anything left outside permanently, something like yacht varnish. Oil finishes aren't usually particularly waterproof unless the oil has had a lot of time to soak deeply into the grain. That is a lot of coats (>10) and leave each coat to soak in and dry for several days, rubbing down in between. I've heard it said once a day for a week, once a week for a month, then once a month for a year. No experience with tung oil but with danish and the like, after the first couple of coats have soaked in, the subsequent ones take an age to dry and cure, and until cured the sticky residue will attract dust and probably you'll even find small insects stuck to it.

My plan is to give it 5 or 6 coats of ships varnish to the table top. I have done this with another outdoor table and it has worked very well.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Osmo oil (they do one for outdoors, think it's "UV protection") is my go to choice. I used to try any combination of Danish, Tung, Linseed oil etc and then I discovered Osmo. Use nothing else now. I was so impressed I bought the company! (Doesn't that age me?)

 

[Tail End Charlie]

He has been outside for the last 12 years. I've probably re-oiled with Osmo twice in that time.