The DIY market is supersaturated with wood finishing products that can leave you with the dilemma of choosing which ones are best for your wood furniture.
Wood finishing products are chemical compounds used for making wood last longer and appear almost brand new.
If you go shopping for wood finishing substances, the two most famous goods you can come across are tung oil and teak oil.
Both products are generally utilized in the same manner, and they may appear to offer comparable features.
When choosing tung oil vs teak oil, it is better to understand the pros and cons of both, so you can easily decide which one you exactly need.
Tung Oil vs Teak Oil: Differences and Similarities
Tung oil, also called China wood oil, originates in southern China, where they have been cultivating tung trees since 500 BC.
On the other hand, teak oil only started popping up in hardware store shelves when South and Southeast Asian countries began exporting teak wood.
The following section discusses the more significant differences and similarities of teak oil vs tung oil.
Composition
The simplest comparison that we can make about teak vs tung oil is that the latter comprises pure tung oil while the former is an amalgam of various pure and synthetic oils.
Unlike tung oil, which comes from pressing the seeds from the nuts of the tung tree, teak oil does not come from teak wood or any part of the teak tree.
Instead, teak oil comprises oils from various sources, including tung trees and linseeds.
The term teak oil began as a marketing stunt for selling wood finishing products tailored for high-quality wood such as teak.
Along with the blended oils, teak oil contains different additive ingredients depending on the manufacturer.
Some tung oil products also have additives to enhance workability and drying time, but the primary component is 100 percent pure tung oil.
Moisture Resistance
With the correct application techniques, tung oil can create a thick coat that waterproofs any wood surface.
Freshly thinned and applied tung oil permeates the wood surface to build a waterproof layer that stops moisture from entering the wood.
Tung oil wood finishing is also impervious to fruit acids, alcohol, and acetone, making it an excellent protective cover for wooden floor panels.
In contrast, teak oil does not share the waterproofing capabilities of tung oil.
Teak oil offers a water-resistant property, but it is not as effective as tung oil waterproofing.
Ultraviolet Protection
The various additives in teak oil include synthetic filters that screen ultraviolet rays from the sun, making it the better choice for finishing outdoor wood furniture.
You can also use teak oil to finish the wood of indoor furniture that wouldn’t require any waterproofing.
On the other hand, pure tung oil does not have any UV-protective filters unless a similar additive is mixed in with the product.
In that case, it is no longer pure tung oil.
Toxicity
The key phrase to describe non-toxic tung oil is 100% pure and natural.
It should not have any additives, and the label must indicate any extra additives.
Since teak oil is a mixture of natural oils, synthetic oils, and many additives, it can be very poisonous.
Nevertheless, there are teak oil products that are non-toxic, but they can cost a lot more.
Is Teak Oil Food Safe?
Unlike pure tung oil, the toxicity of most teak oil products makes them unsafe for food.
It is safer to use pure tung oil to finish wood surfaces used in the kitchen, such as wooden countertops, cutting boards, and various kitchenware.
So, is teak oil food safe? Yes, and no.
You can use some non-toxic teak oils for refinishing wooden kitchen items, but always be wary about any included additives.
Flexibility and Adhesion
After application and curing, tung oil forms a thick, flexible plastic coat making it the best choice for expanding or contracting wood.
Even if the wood warps, it will remain protected from moisture while keeping its natural sheen.
Teak oil does not share this flexibility.
It cures to a hard, brittle coat that will crack when the surface applied with it contracts or expands.
When using pre-finished or recycled, finished wood for new construction, a well-cured tung oil-coated wood lends better to gluing or adhesion than teak oil-coated wood.
Drying Time
The choice of teak oil vs tung oil regarding drying or curing time is also dependent on the application.
Teak oil dries faster than tung oil and requires fewer layers for the finish to be complete.
The minimum number of layers for teak oil application is two, while it takes at least five layers for tung oil.
A single coat of teak oil only takes around five hours to dry for a six-seater rectangular dining tabletop that measures four by six feet.
This number counts up to a total finishing time of ten hours.
The quicker drying property of teak oil makes it the better choice for time-sensitive commercial projects.
If you finish the same table with tung oil, each layer will set you back at least 20 hours, making the total finishing time to about four days and four hours.
When using tung oil, it is essential to take enough curing time for each layer.
Prematurely adding a new layer over the previous one stops the curing process, and the whole finish will not cure properly.
Using tung oil takes up too much time, but it makes the wood appear rich and natural.
As such, tung oil is the best choice for intricate wood carvings, latticework, and grain-rich woods.
Workability
Teak oil is like a ready-mix compound that has quick surface permeation properties.
It penetrates wood easily and is, therefore, easier to apply.
Teak oil finishing can be applied using a paintbrush, a roller, or a sprayer.
On the other hand, pure tung oil is a thick liquid that requires about an equivalent amount of thinning agents to permeate the wood easily.
Remember that mixing in additives with tung oil may alter it to become toxic and non-food grade.
If you want tung oil to remain food-grade while applying it on wood, use a lint-free cloth to dab a thin layer onto the wood surface, and allow it to dry after every application.
The workability of teak vs tung oil is almost similar, except for their curing or drying times.
Storage
Leftover pure tung oil is very tricky to store without adequate storage instructions.
It can turn into a thick, gummy paste in the wrong storage conditions, and you can no longer use it for finishing other wood items.
If the packaging indicates specific temperature requirements and instructions for storage, follow it to the letter.
Most teak oils have preservatives for storing in any condition as long as the bottle or can is always left sealed.
Some inorganic additives in teak oil are very volatile and may cause the liquid to evaporate and lose its consistency if not kept in an airtight container.
Is Tung Oil Good for Teak Wood?
Tung oil is a time-tested finish for any wood type, including teak.
It permeates the wood surface to create a waterproof layer that makes teak have a deep, lustrous appearance and showcase its beautiful grains.
Tung oil also prevents teak from having a darker shade.
However, tung oil does not have filter additives that provide teak its much-needed UV protection.
Without UV protection, teak wood fades under sunlight over time, and its color turns to a silvery gray hue.
What Is Teak Oil Used For?
Teak oil is an excellent finish for outdoor wooden furniture but can also be used for indoor applications.
The UV protection and water-resistant properties of teak oil make it the better choice for outdoor wood.
You can use it as a finishing material for almost all wood types, but it is the more recommended option for dense woods such as mahogany, teak, ipe, and black locust.
Does Teak Oil Make Wood Waterproof?
For some time, yes. The added layer of teak oil protection prevents moisture from entering the wood.
Teak oil finishing wears off over time, so it is best to refinish your wood regularly to restore its water-resistant surface.
Wood types have varying natural moisture and rot resistance properties.
These properties can be amplified with the application of teak oil.
If you finish your outdoor wood furniture with teak oil, you don’t have to worry the next time you accidentally wet it with a garden hose.
If you want a wood finish that has better waterproofing capabilities, choose tung oil instead.
Is Tung Oil or Teak Oil Better?
When choosing between tung oil vs teak oil, make a list of the properties you need for your specific project.
If you want a wood finish that works for indoor and outdoor applications, teak oil is better.
Having a commercial project also calls for the speedy application of teak oil.
But if you’re finishing a lot of wood in a kitchen project, better use the food-grade and more water-resistant tung oil.
Finally, if you want the natural beauty of wood to pop out, go for the rich and natural-looking finish that tung oil can provide.