How to Make Tung Oil Darker
Making tung oil darker is a great way to change the look and feel of the finish. It can also be used to create different effects, such as a weathered look. In this blog post, we will show you how to make tung oil darker.
Tung oil is a type of finish used to protect wood furniture and floors from wear and tear. It has a natural sheen and is resistant to water and other liquids. There are different ways to make tung oil darker, but in this blog post, we will show you the easiest way. So, let’s get started!
Step by Step Guide: How to Make Tung Oil Darker
Step 1: Preparing the Wood with Stain
Prepare the wood to be treated for applying oil finish by sanding it with 100 grit sandpaper followed by 150 grit. Both types of paper are available in hardware stores and home centers. Clean the wood well with a tack cloth before you begin. Allow at least 30 minutes of drying time between coats.
Step 2: Applying Tung Oil
To apply tung oil to wood, use a clean cloth. Work in the direction of the grain, and apply coats of oil until the wood can’t absorb any more. Allow each coat to dry for 12-24 hours before applying another.
Step 3: Applying the Darker Tung Oil
Once you have applied four coats of tung oil, switch to applying a darker version of tung oil. The color will be much darker, but it can be wiped off within minutes of application. Apply enough coats until the desired darkness is achieved.
Use a good quality tung oil, as many other brands will not darken properly. It’s also important to apply several light coats instead of trying to build up an opaque finish in one or two heavy ones.
Step 4: Sanding and Refinishing
After allowing the oil to cure for at least a week, sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper. Next, vacuum up all of the sawdust and wipe it down with a tack cloth before applying a final coat of tung oil. Allow it to cure overnight before using the item again.
Tung oil is one of several different oil finishes that can be used to treat wood. Others include Danish oil and boiled linseed oil, available in several colors. Like tung oil, they can all be used to darken the surface of a piece of furniture or another wood project. However, if a lighter color is desired, a wood stain can be used before applying an oil finish.
Step 5: Using Polyurethane
To protect the tung oil finish, apply two coats of clear polyurethane. This will also darken it further after the first coat has dried overnight. Allow one day between coats.
Step 6: Sanding and Wipe-on Polyurethane
You will need to sand the table’s surface with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth out any brush strokes left behind by the polyurethane. Vacuum up all of the sawdust before applying a wipe-on finish made for darkening the furniture’s surface. There are several to choose from, so follow the instructions on the can for the application method and number of coats.
Step 7: Applying the Final Coat
After allowing the final coat of darkening finish to dry overnight, apply two more coats of clear polyurethane to create a lacquer-like surface. Allow one day between each coat. After allowing everything to dry for at least a week after the final coat of finish has been applied, the project is ready to be used again.
You Can Check It Out To Change Color of Vapor
Helpful Tips and Advice:
1. Apply thin coats of tung oil to achieve a deeper finish instead of applying thick coats.
2. Let coats of tung oil dry completely to achieve a darker finish.
3. Apply multiple thin layers of spar varnish instead of one thick coat to avoid dulling the finished product.
4. Use steel wool or fine sandpaper to make surfaces look smoother without drastically changing color.
5. Let products sit for at least five days before use to ensure the oil has fully dried.
6. Apply a second coat of tung oil on a still-damp first coat for a darker glow.
7. Apply polyurethane paint to achieve a shiny, polished look that is scratch and water-resistant.
8 Advantages of the Tung Oil:
1. Tung oil, or China wood oil, comes from the nut of a plant native to Asia.
2. It is the only non-toxic plant oil that hardens through exposure to oxygen and light.
3. This makes it a perfect choice for high-quality furniture finishes as it won’t be harmful to anyone who has eaten off the same table.
4. The lifespan of tung oil can vary greatly, depending on the quality of the product and how it was applied. In general, though, tung oil can last anywhere from six months to ten years.
5. When used in a properly-made mixture, it is both an oil and a stain that any other product on the market can’t match.
6. Once applied to wood, tung oil doesn’t require any additional treatment until the finish starts wearing off after months or years of use, depending on the quality.
7. Tung oil is also great in protecting wood from water damage, making it perfect for use in places where humidity levels are high.
8. Even when scratched, tung oil can be easily repaired and stained to match the color of the wood.
Conclusion
Tung oil is a natural, non-toxic finish popular in furniture restoration. A common request of customers who use tung oil on their pieces is how to make the wood darker, so it matches some other items in the room. There are several ways you can darken your tung oil, and each one has different advantages depending on what type of project you’re working on.
However, if you want the finish to last longer and not fade over time, it’s important to take care of your tung-oiled piece by maintaining its protective coatings with other products like varnish or lacquer.
We hope this blog post on how to make tung oil darker has been helpful. Read our blog post if you want to know more about these methods or any others for finishing up your piece with this eco-friendly option!
