Boiled linseed oil and tung oil are the two classic penetrating oil finishes. Both soak into the wood, harden inside the fibers and bring out the grain with a natural, hand-rubbed look.
But they differ in how fast they cure, how much they darken the wood and how well they resist water. Here's how to choose between them, how to apply each one, and when a modern oil blend is the better choice.
Boiled Linseed Oil vs. Tung Oil at a Glance
| Boiled linseed oil (BLO) | Pure tung oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Flax seed oil with metallic driers added | Pressed from the nuts of the tung tree |
| Dry time between coats | About 24 hours | Several days |
| Coats needed | 3 or more | 5 or more |
| Color | Warm amber tone that deepens over time | Lighter, with less yellowing |
| Water resistance | Low | Better than linseed |
| Sheen | Low satin | Satin to matte |
| Best for | Tool handles, gunstocks, rustic furniture, bringing out figure | Furniture, turnings and pieces that see some moisture |
What Is Boiled Linseed Oil?
Raw linseed oil comes from flax seed and can take weeks to cure. Modern "boiled" linseed oil usually isn't boiled at all. Instead, metallic drying agents are added so each coat cures in about a day.
BLO is inexpensive, very easy to apply and gives wood a warm, amber glow that makes figure in walnut, cherry and curly maple pop. The trade-off is limited protection. It resists light handling but not standing water, heat or solvents.
What Is Tung Oil?
Pure tung oil is pressed from the nuts of the tung tree. It cures into a harder, more water-resistant finish than linseed oil and yellows less, so it's a good choice on light woods.
It cures slowly, though, and needs more thin coats to build a protective finish. Many woodworkers thin the first coats with a solvent so they penetrate deeper.
Read the label carefully. Many products sold as a "tung oil finish" are actually wiping varnishes that contain little or no tung oil. They can be good finishes, but they behave differently from pure tung oil.
How to Apply an Oil Finish
- Prepare the surface. Sand to 180 or 220 grit and remove all dust. Oil highlights scratches, so don't skip grits.
- Flood the first coat. Apply a generous coat with a rag or brush and keep the surface wet for 15 to 30 minutes so the oil soaks in.
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Wipe off all the excess. This is the most important step.
Oil left on the surface turns gummy and sticky.
- Let it cure. Allow about a day for BLO and several days for pure tung oil, in a warm, ventilated room.
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Repeat with thinner coats. Lightly buff between coats with a fine abrasive pad, then apply and wipe off another coat.
Stop when the surface has an even sheen.
- Optional wax. Once fully cured, a coat of paste wax adds a soft luster and a little extra protection.
Safety: Dispose of Oily Rags Properly
Rags soaked in linseed oil, tung oil and other drying oils can heat up as they cure and catch fire on their own.
Never leave them in a pile or a trash can. Lay them flat outdoors to dry completely, or put them in a sealed metal container filled with water before disposal.
Are Linseed Oil and Tung Oil Food Safe?
Once fully cured, pure tung oil and raw linseed oil are widely used on kitchen items. Boiled linseed oil contains metallic driers, so many woodworkers avoid it on surfaces that touch food.
For cutting boards, bowls and utensils, the simplest choice is a finish the manufacturer labels food safe. Odie's Oil is a solvent-free blend of oils and waxes that is food safe and gives a lustrous sheen in one coat, and General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish is made for bowls and utensils.
See our guide to the best wood for cutting boards for more on food-safe finishing.
When to Choose Something Else
- You want a one-coat oil finish. Odie's Oil products are applied in a single thin coat and build durability as they cure.
- You need more protection. For tabletops and pieces that see spills, an oil and urethane wiping finish like General Finishes Arm-R-Seal keeps the hand-rubbed look with much better water and heat resistance.
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You want color. Apply a stain or dye first, then finish with oil or a topcoat.
Browse our General Finishes stains, dyes and topcoats.
Linseed Oil vs. Tung Oil FAQ
Which is better, tung oil or linseed oil?
Tung oil is more water resistant and yellows less, so it's generally the better finish for furniture.
Boiled linseed oil is faster, cheaper and gives a warmer tone, which makes it a favorite on tool handles and figured woods.
How long does boiled linseed oil take to dry?
Each coat is usually dry to the touch in about 24 hours in a warm room. It continues to cure and harden for weeks after that.
Can you put tung oil over linseed oil?
Yes. Once the linseed oil has fully cured, you can apply tung oil or most other finishes over it. Lightly scuff the surface first.
Why is my oil finish sticky?
The most common cause is excess oil left on the surface. Wipe the surface with a little fresh oil to soften the sticky layer, wipe it all off thoroughly, and let it cure longer before the next coat.
Shop all wood finishes and read Choosing and Using the Right Wood Finish.
