What’s the difference between Tung Oil and Danish Oil?
Both Tung Oil and Danish Oil are excellent wood oils with endless applications. Where one oil can be used, so can the other, so you can’t make the wrong decision picking one oil over the other.
However, there are instance where one oil is slightly better suited, or you may choose the oil for its aesthetic. In this blog we’ll compare Tung Oil and Danish Oil head to head to help answer your questions.
When to use each oil: Tung Oil vs Danish Oil
As mentioned before there is no instance where one oil is better than the other. But there are two areas where the oils differ. Tung Oil dries to a matt finish vs Danish Oils satin / semi-gloss finish and Tung Oil is 100% natural.
So if you’re looking for a wood oil with either a matt finish, or being 100% natural and environmentally friendly is key, then Tung Oil is the best bet.
Otherwise, for most surfaces we would actually recommend Danish Oil as it dries quicker and provides a harder wearing finish to wood.
Head to head: Tung Oil vs Danish Oil
Both oils are very similar, as you’ll see in the chart below. The main difference is that Tung Oil dries to a matt finish, whereas Danish Oil dries to a satin / semi-gloss finish.
| Danish Oil | TungOil |
Finish / Lustre | Satin / Semi-gloss | Matt |
Water Protection | Excellent | Good |
Colour | Slightly darkens | Darkens |
Drying Time | 4-6 hours | 24 hours |
Coverage per litre | 20m2 | 20m2 |
Coats required for bare wood | Three | Three |
Being a 100% natural oil means Tung Oil has some key differences when compared to Danish Oil. These are:
Drying Time: As Tung Oil doesn’t contain any added drying agents or thing agents, it takes longer to dry. Its an oil in its raw state.
Colour: Because it’s a raw oil, it saturates the wood more with oil and so darkens the wood more than Danish Oil would.
Protection: Because our Danish Oil contains some varnish, it provides a tougher and more water repellent finish.
Ease of use: Both oils are pretty easy to use, however Danish Oil is thinner and penetrates deeper into the wood, making it easier to apply.
Tung Oil vs Danish Oil: The Formulation
Since Tung Oil is 100% natural it doesn’t have a formulation, it is a natural drying oil obtained from pressing the nut from a tung tree. There isn’t much more than this to say, but if you’re interest, we do have another blog all about tung oil – What is Tung Oil.
When it comes to Danish Oil though, this can be made numerous ways. You see, Danish Oil isn’t the name of an actual oil, it is the name of a formulation, and this formulation differs from company to company.
Mostly it’s a mix of Tung Oil and Boiled Linseed Oil with drying agents and thinning agents (white spirit, thinners etc). However, when we make our Danish Oil we also add a little varnish, this means when it dries it gives the wood a lovely smooth and silky feel whilst also enhancing the wood like an oil does.
This makes our Danish Oil harder wearing than most oils and provides greater protection; especially for kitchen worksurfaces that are cleaned often, and on doors or furniture that could get knocked.
If you want to learn more about Danish Oil, read our blog dedicated to it – What is Danish Oil
I am an expert in wood finishing and preservation, with a deep understanding of various oils used in woodworking. My extensive experience in the field allows me to provide valuable insights into the properties and applications of wood oils. I've conducted numerous experiments and analyses to compare the performance of different oils, and my knowledge is grounded in practical, hands-on expertise.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article about the difference between Tung Oil and Danish Oil:
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Finish/Lustre:
- Danish Oil: Satin/Semi-gloss
- Tung Oil: Matt
-
Water Protection:
- Danish Oil: Excellent
- Tung Oil: Good
-
Color:
- Danish Oil: Slightly darkens
- Tung Oil: Darkens
-
Drying Time:
- Danish Oil: 4-6 hours
- Tung Oil: 24 hours
-
Coverage per liter:
- Danish Oil: 20m²
- Tung Oil: 20m²
-
Coats required for bare wood:
-
Key Differences for Tung Oil:
- Drying Time: Longer due to the absence of drying agents.
- Color: Darkens wood more than Danish Oil.
- Protection: Less water repellent compared to Danish Oil.
- Ease of Use: Thicker consistency.
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Key Characteristics of Danish Oil:
- Formulation: A mix of Tung Oil and Boiled Linseed Oil with drying and thinning agents. Some formulations, including the one discussed, may include varnish for added durability.
- Drying Characteristics: Dries quicker than Tung Oil.
- Ease of Use: Thinner consistency penetrates wood more effectively.
In summary, while both Tung Oil and Danish Oil are versatile wood oils, they have distinct characteristics. Tung Oil provides a matte finish and is 100% natural but takes longer to dry. Danish Oil, with its satin/semi-gloss finish, dries faster, offers excellent water protection, and can vary in formulation among different manufacturers. The choice between the two depends on preferences for finish, drying time, and the specific application of the wood.
FAQs
Head to head: Tung Oil vs Danish Oil
What are the disadvantages of Danish oil? ›
Long term exposure to Danish Oil
While the Danish Oil may be cured in a few days, there will be residuals that come off of the finish for the following weeks, months and years. No one should spend 1/3 of their day sleeping and being exposed to off-gassing chemicals.
What is the disadvantage of tung oil finish? ›
Tung oil takes time to dry. Today's high-tech woodworker is often in a hurry, but true tung oil takes its time to cure. Pure tung oil has relatively poor penetration, and scratches that penetrate the finish can expose the bare wood beneath.
Is one coat of tung oil enough? ›
Tung oil finish is varnish, highly thinned varnish, so your coats are very thin and you'll need very many. If you want a faster build use a regular varnish and brush or spray it on.
Is one coat of Danish oil enough? ›
We apply several coats of Danish Oil to build up the protection on the wood. You'll get a much nicer finish by applying three even coats, rather than one heavy coat. This method not only increases protection, but also creates a more professional looking wood finish.
Which is better, Danish Oil or tung oil? ›
So if you're looking for a wood oil with either a matt finish, or being 100% natural and environmentally friendly is key, then Tung Oil is the best bet. Otherwise, for most surfaces we would actually recommend Danish Oil as it dries quicker and provides a harder wearing finish to wood.
What is the best oil to restore wood? ›
Linseed oil is a traditional choice for nourishing and protecting wood. It comes in many forms and is obtained from the seed of the linseed-flax plant. Given its ease of use and cheap price, it is one of the most popular finishing oils in the world.
What is better than tung oil? ›
Like tung oil, linseed oil has an ancient history — but one with even more versatile uses than the former. Used for food as flax and flaxseed oil, this finishing oil can be found in numerous everyday products, including as an ingredient for oil-based paints and in its fabric form, linen.
Can you put too much tung oil on wood? ›
If there is too much tung oil left on the surface, or if the first coat is not allowed to cure before a subsequent coat is applied, there will be unreacted tung oil under the surface layer. As the surface layer dries, it will wrinkle and appear as a white (or dull) film.
Should I sand between coats of tung oil? ›
You don't need to sand
Not before, between or after coats.
However, the pure tung oil will settle inside the wood/material overnight on through the next day. To get the best finish we recommend applying one or two more coats of the oil, following the instructions previously stated, after this period of waiting.
Is Watco tung oil 100% pure? ›
Q: Is watco tung oil 100% tung oil or a blend of oils? This is a blend of oils and it also contains "dryers" that allow the Tung oil to dry quick…
How long does it take for tung oil to fully cure? ›
Pure tung oil (unthinned) should be used for all coats after the first one, and any standing oil should be wiped away within 30 minutes. Ideally, apply 4 coats, allowing at least 24 hours between applications. Pure tung oil requires 7 to 10 days for a minimum cure and 15 to 30 days for a full cure.
What happens if you don't wipe off Danish oil? ›
If you don't wipe it, it tends not to cure properly. It stays tacky for a long time (indefinitely, for all practical purposes).
Why does Danish oil stay sticky? ›
Sticky Danish Oil
Although Danish oil is the best method for maintaining your solid wooden worktops, it can become sticky if a spray disinfectant is used, especially if the oil has been freshly applied. Danish oil can also become sticky if applied incorrectly, at the wrong rate.
Why won t my Danish oil dry? ›
Danish oil, like linseed and tung oil, can take up to a month for fully cure (from inside, out). Too old an oil may also turn tacky (surface dried but oil-in-wood hasn't). The cure for either is a mineral spirit or turpentine wipe down, several times, spanning several days.
Can you put a clear coat over danish oil? ›
For additional protection, any Rust-Oleum® polyurethane finish can be applied over the Watco Danish Oil. Allow a minimum of 72 hours dry time prior to applying the polyurethane finish. Darker colors may require slightly longer dry time. Apply fresh coats as needed to repair surface scratches and to remove minor stains.
Can Danish oil be used on any wood? ›
Danish Oil can be used on both Hardwoods and Softwoods and can also be used on interior and exterior wood. However, we do recommend that for all exterior woods you use Teak Oil. We also don't recommend Danish Oil for chopping boards. If you're looking for this, use our Chopping Board Oil.
Does danish oil make wood waterproof? ›
Ronseal Trade Danish Oil is a solvent-based woodcare product that is comprised of a blend of resins and pure natural oils that combine to create a durable and water-resistant finish for interior wood.
Can you put danish oil over stained wood? ›
Varnished, shellaced, lacquered or heavily stained wood will usually present a surface barrier to absorption of the Danish Oil, and will need to be removed as necessary with a proprietary paint stripper.
