Comparison of Linseed and Tung Oil Offgassing Tung oil has milder offgassing compared to polymerized linseed in my assessment at first, but at the end of the 30 days, tung had a stronger odor remaining.

Does tung oil have a strong odor?

Tung oil produces a mildly disagreeable odor for a few days after it is applied. This odor lessens with time, however some find that it continues for quite some time afterwards. If the tung oil is to be coated with some other finish such as wax, shellac, lacquer or polyurethane, this smell is no longer noticeable.

Does pure tung oil smell?





Answer: The short answer is it will always smell…a little. When you use 100% Tung oil, it technically never “dries” so there will be some smell.

Will linseed oil smell go away?

Linseed oil has various uses, including as a painting medium. When added to oil paint, linseed oil provides a transparent and glossy finish and allows the oil paint to flow easier. However, linseed oil will fill the air with an unpleasant odor that lasts for weeks after you have painted the wood floors with the oil.

Does linseed oil have an odor?

Linseed oil does have a characteristic odor that some find unpleasant, but it doesn’t release harmful fumes like solvents.

How long does it take for tung oil to stop smelling?

30 days





Give it Time to Offgass
To get rid of the linseed or tung oil odor I would first wait 30 days if possible. The odor might not be completely gone in 30 days but it will be mostly gone. If the oils were used on a large area like floors I would also increase heat and ventilation in that area of the home.

What does tung smell like?

I use pure tung oil (which I mix with a drier), and straight or blended it has a slightly nutty and pleasant smell. My guess is you have a rancid batch.

Does tung oil get rancid?

There are many reasons why people love tung oil for their projects, and one of the most popular is its flexible, durable, food safe, and protective waterproof finish that doesn’t mold, darken or go rancid.

What is the difference between linseed oil and tung oil?

Linseed oil carries a slight yellow tint, whereas tung oil dries to a clear finish. Tung oil creates a harder, more durable finish than linseed oil. Tung oil is more water-resistant than linseed oil. Raw linseed oil takes significantly longer to cure than pure tung oil.

Does tung oil prevent mold?



Tung oil itself does not support mold or mildew growth, but it is not an active biocide either, so it may not completely prevent mold or mildew formation on its own.

How do you make linseed oil smell better?

As long as the chair is already smelly, rub on a couple more coats for additional protection. Then, put it out in the sun as Tobus suggests. If you can find a breezy place, that’s even better. The smell will gradually dissipate although some small odor may linger for quite a while.

Does tung oil have VOC?

Tung oil is non toxic and doesn’t contain VOCs, however people with allergies often report adverse reactions to contact with (or even the odor of) tung oil. Reactions can be severe in some cases(1). 100% pure tung oil dries slowly.

Is linseed oil safe to use indoors?



Linseed oil is most often used indoors, either on paneling, moldings, beams, furniture and even on floors, which in this last case requires maintenance twice a year given the high stress of the surface .

Can I put tung oil over linseed oil?

There are a lot of products labeled as such, but there is no “standard” that manufacturers have to adhere to in calling their products an “oil” finish. Your polymerized tung oil product over a cured Watco Danish Oil , a boiled linseed oil finish or pure tung oil finish would probably be OK.

How long does tung oil take to dry?

While there are many advantages to using it, pure tung oil takes two to three days to harden, and needs at least five coats. Oil/varnish blends and wiping varnishes are faster-drying, more practical options, but such terms rarely appear on labels. For help picking a finish, see below.

What does linseed smell like?

Smell. With a crisp, mild nuttiness redolent of raw sunflower or sesame seeds, fresh flaxseed oil gives an impression of lightness when inhaled. Although you might not detect the hints of sunflower and sesame unless you have a sensitive palate, a clean nuttiness always stands out in the aroma.

Does linseed oil smell like fish?



Flaxseed oil smells “fishy” for the exact same reason that fish produces such a smell. In both cases the culprit is the chemical breakdown of a group of compounds called omega-3 fatty acids.

Does pure tung oil darken wood?

Pure Tung oil won’t darken wood because it has an amber tint (honey-colored). This color often makes the wood grain pop with a warm amber luster. However, dark Tung oil will darken the wood.

Does tung oil make wood shiny?

Pure Tung oil gives off a deep, rich, matte-like finish. It really accentuates the grain patterns and adds depth to your wood’s surface. Polymerized produces a more shiny, reflective surface.

Will tung oil waterproof wood?

The oil is extracted from the seed of the tung tree. It was used hundreds of years ago to preserve wood ships and other wooden objects. It’s still a favorite today because the oil penetrates into the wood, creating a relatively hard surface that repels water, giving it a waterproof finish.

How do you get shiny finish with tung oil?



I rub thoroughly between coats with 0000 steel wool when looking for high gloss. I have done up to 8 coats on a piece. The last couple of coats may be thinned with mineral spirits. You could also wax polish on top of the tung oil to achieve the sheen you want.