Pure Tung Oil or Tung Oil?
What is the difference?

Pure Tung Oil is just what it says - Pure Tung Oil without any additive or distillates. Tung Oil can be any of a number of things from a thinned down varnish to a polymerized Tung oil. Most Tung Oil finishes have petroleum distillates added.

Pure Tung Oil will not build a gloss finish or build a heavy finish on the wood, but penetrates deeply into the wood to enhance the character and water resistance. Pure Tung Oil is easy to maintain with a follow up application. It however does dry slower than Tung Oil.

Tung Oil will generally build a gloss finish as well as build on top of the wood surface. It does contain petroleum distillated and generally metallic dryers.

Here is an old cabinetmaker formula for combination oil finish blend:

• 1/3 Pure Tung Oil
• 1/3 varnish, polyurethane or oil base finish
• 1/3 mineral spirits

You can vary the ingredients to adjust the working qualities of the finish.