How To Remove Tung Oil Finish From Wood

Here is a step by step guide to applying tung oil the right way.

How to remove tung oil finish from wood. When applied to a raw surface the oil hardens to protect and add luster to the wood. Its not the same product as pure varnish. Interior wood surfaces might need another coat every 2 4 years and exterior wood 1 2 years depending on exposure to sun light and the wood species. The cv tends to stand up to some paint removers that i have used.

Fordii tree grows well in cooler climates but can survive up to sub tropical climates. Fortunately the same process that hardens tung oil as it ages eventually causes it to break down. Tung oil is a type of natural drying oil commonly used as a finish in woodworking projects. Tung oil also known as china wood oil lumbang oil noix dabrasin fr or simply wood oil is made from the seed kernels of the tung tree aleurites fordii and aleurites montana family euphorbiaceae.

Removing tung oil finish can be a challenge because of the way it soaks into the wood it is applied on to protect. Remove light scratches with a light sanding and the addition of another coat of tung oil finish. I have used tung oil for 35 years and i have refinished many a kitchen. This will remove the discolored finish and wont harm the wood.

Rubbing alcohol is cheap and not as toxic as acetone. An oilvarnish product danish oil is varnish that is then mixed with additional oil and a thinner. The extra oil and thinner causes the mixture to penetrate into the wood pores where the varnish and the oil cure forming an in the wood finish as opposed the a pure varnish film or on the wood finish. Pure tung oil enhances wood by accentuating its grain and adding depth to its patterns.

After sanding and cleaning the wood surface to remove any previous finish spread the oil along the grain pattern using a clean lint free rag. If the finish under the tung oil is conversion varnish i would try wiping the tung oil with lac thinner it may remove the tung oil without harming the cv. A little paint thinner and some sandpaper are often all you need to strip tung oil.