Polyurethane vs Tung Oil: Which is Better?

When it’s time to finish wood, there are several varnishes to choose from, and two popular options are polyurethane and tung oil finish.

Both provide a range of benefits when applied to wood surfaces, but which is better overall?

In this post, I’ll compare tung oil vs polyurethane and help you decide which is best for your wood surface. Let’s dig in!

What Is Polyurethane Varnish?

Polyurethane, otherwise known as liquid plastic, is a kind of varnish that’s made with urethane compounds, resins, solvents, and chemicals.

Polyurethane is viscous, but as it cures it forms a solid, durable barrier, one that’s water-resistant, UV-resistant, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant.

The two main kinds of polyurethane are oil-based polyurethane and water-based.

Oil poly is made with oil-based solvents, whereas water is the solvent used in water-based polys.

Oil-based polyurethane is more durable, has a yellowish or amber tint, takes a long time to cure, is more toxic, and is somewhat difficult to apply.

Water-based poly is less durable, has no color, dries fast, is much less toxic, and is easy to apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer.

Both polyurethanes are effective sealers, provided they’re applied right. You can find the differences between oil and water based polyurethane for more help choosing which is better for your project.

And unlike other finishes, polyurethane cures on top of a surface; it doesn’t get absorbed into the wood. This is why it can be used on metal, stone, and plastic (in addition to wood).

It usually takes oil-based polyurethane finish 24 to 48 hours to become semi-dry, and 30 days or so to cure completely. Water-based polyurethane dries in under an a few hours and usually cures completely in about two weeks.

There are different sheens available, specifically matte/satin, semi-gloss, and glossy. The more glossy sheens are better at hiding imperfections.

What Is Tung Oil Finish?

Tung oil has been used for hundreds of years to finish wood, and it comes from the tung trees that grow throughout China and South America.

It features a yellowish or amber tint, which is a main reason why it’s applied to dark woods; it accentuates the color and grain without making the wood too glossy.

Unlike polyurethane, tung oil is absorbed into wood via the pores. But even though the oil doesn’t cure atop the surface, it still strengthens the wood, as a protective film forms as it cures.

That said, this film isn’t strong enough to prevent serious dings and scratches.

Usually tung oil takes 48 hours to dry. And since you’ll need to apply multiple coats, often five to seven, it could take you several days to finish something with tung oil.

Application is different with oil finishes too. Tung oil is wiped on, mainly because brushing or spraying would be too messy and inconvenient.

Tung oil protection also must be maintained yearly. So spots that look like they need more oil will need to be touched up with oil and a clean cloth.

Lastly, tung oil doesn’t just protect wood from eroding and damaging elements. It also nourishes wood, which in part explains why wood that’s gotten some tung oil recently looks healthier on top of being visually appealing.

Differences Between Polyurethane and Tung Oil

Tung Oil vs Polyurethane: Durability

If a durable finish is what you’re after, go with polyurethane over tung oil. Even though tung oil penetrates wood, the protective film it forms isn’t nearly as strong as a multi-layer polyurethane barrier.

Polyurethane is more durable mainly because of its composition, but also because it’s applied on top of surfaces.

Unlike tung oil, polyurethane is weather-resistant, UV-resistant, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. Tung oil is really only water-resistant, which is why it’s not used outside.

Even water-based poly, which is much thinner than its oil-based counterpart, is more durable than tung oil.

Tung oil is, however, stronger than linseed oil, so it’s not like it’s the weakest wood finish out there.

It’s also important to point out that there’s a difference between pure tung oil (otherwise known as raw tung oil) and tung oil finish. The latter includes resins and other oils, so it’s a lot stronger.

Still, tung oil finish isn’t more durable than either oil-based or water-based polyurethane.

Tung Oil vs Polyurethane: Appearance & Color

Tung oil beats out both oil- and water-based poly in the appearance and color category, but that’s because one of its main purposes is to accentuate grain and make a wood surface more appealing overall.

But even though tung oil makes a range of wood surfaces look better, it shouldn’t be applied to every wood surface.

Specifically, since it has a yellowish or amber tint, it shouldn’t be applied to softwoods that are near white, like black cottonwood, Atlantic white cedar, and subalpine fir.

Polyurethane, on the other hand, can make a surface look too glossy, and as it ages it tends to become cloudy. You can also get cloudy poly if you apply it wrong.

Also, oil-based poly shouldn’t be applied to most softwoods for the same reason, i.e. its color doesn’t go well with the natural colors most softwoods display.

Check out the video below for more info on tung oil finishes!

Tung Oil vs Polyurethane: Price

Real tung oil, i.e. the oil that’s extracted from the tung tree with minimal processing, is more expensive than most polyurethanes.

The reason for the difference in prices are as follows:

• Tung oil is comprised of more expensive components, and it costs more to make.
• Tung oil is used for more niche applications, like high-end furniture or antique finishing.
• Polyurethane is more mass-produced and therefore widely available, which in part explains its lower price.
• Tung oil is non-toxic, so it can be marketed as an eco-friendly product and command a higher price.

You may find that a high-grade oil-based poly is more expensive than most tung oil products. These polys are engineered to be extra strong and long-lasting, which explains the higher price.

Ease of Application

Generally speaking, applying tung oil is easier than applying polyurethane, mainly because tung oil can be wiped on. While you could apply polyurethane the same way, this would be challenging since polyurethane, especially oil polyurethane, is viscous and therefore harder to spread.

Applying water-based polyurethane can be challenging too, as its quick-drying nature makes it hard to keep track of which areas have received poly and which haven’t.

With tung oil, all you have to do is wipe it on a wooden surface and the pores will do the rest. This is one of the main reasons why tung oil is a go-to for finishing complex wood furnishings with many hard-to-reach joints, gaps, and crevices.

Getting poly into hard-to-reach joints, gaps, and crevices is much more difficult, even for the most patient and skilled woodworkers, because you need bulkier applicators (brushes, sprayers, etc.) and poly doesn’t disperse as well.

Tung Oil vs Polyurethane: Moisture Resistance

Tung oil and polyurethane are both good at sealing wood surfaces, so in this category I say its a tie. Essentially, tung oil protects wood from within, while a polyurethane coating prevents moisture from ever reaching the wood’s surface.

But to create a near waterproof seal, you’ll need to apply many coats of tung oil (5-7). On the other hand, only two coats of oil-based polyurethane can form an effective, durable seal.

Despite being water-resistant, tung oil finish isn’t strong enough for outdoor use, as it’ll break down if it’s exposed to the elements, mainly rain, for a prolonged period.

Drying & Curing Time

It takes a coat of tung oil about 48 hours to dry. So if you’re applying numerous coats, expect the finishing process to take 10 days to complete.

Polyurethane, on the other hand, dries somewhat quicker. Water-based polyurethane becomes semi-dry in under an hour, while oil-based poly takes five to seven hours to become semi-dry.

When polyurethane is semi-dry, another coat can be applied, so the polyurethane coating process is technically shorter.

That said, water-based poly takes nearly two weeks to cure completely, while oil polyurethane takes almost a month to cure completely.

Toxicity

Of all the finishes discussed thus far, oil polyurethane is by far the most toxic, as it contains a high number of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Tung oil doesn’t contain these compounds, which is why it’s food-safe when dry. For this reason among others, tung oil is often used on kitchen tables, wooden bowls, and cutlery.

Water-based polyurethane does have some VOCs, but not nearly as much as its oil-based counterpart.

When to Use Polyurethane

Polyurethane is used to coat hardwood floors, stairs, tabletops, doors, window frames, cabinets, and numerous other wood furnishings.

Outdoor wood furnishings are almost always coated with polyurethane so they hold up well against the elements.

In short, polyurethane is the finish to use when durability is what you’re after most of all. It can resist dirt, moisture, UV rays, and heat, and if applied properly it can remain durable for many years.

One of the main reasons why it’s applied to high-traffic surfaces like floors is because it’s highly durable.

When to Use Tung Oil

Tung oil is best for furniture, particularly high-end furniture and antiques.

It creates a sleek finish and accentuates wood’s color and grain, and unlike polyurethane you can count on tung oil to provide a crystal clear top layer.

In addition to furniture, it’s also used on cutting boards and other cooking equipment because it’s non-toxic yet strong.

Note: If making wood more visually appealing is more important than ensuring a durable finish, opt for pure tung oil or raw tung oil over tung oil finish.

Polyurethane vs Tung Oil for Furniture

Tung oil is best for fine furniture and wooden surfaces that aren’t at a higher risk of getting dented or scratched.

But if we’re talking about outdoor furniture, polyurethane is better, as it can resist the effects of weather, UV rays, and sudden temperature fluctuations.

So if you want to enhance the color and wood grain on an antique rocking chair, opt for tung oil over poly.

Polyurethane vs Tung Oil for Wood Floors

Polyurethane is best for wood floors because its durability is unparalleled.

Plus, since it can resist moisture and heat well, you don’t have to worry about the polyurethane cracking as the floorboards expand and contract.

Tung oil, on the other hand, isn’t good for wood surfaces like floors because it provides barely any protection. So a floor that’s been coated in tung oil is going to get scuffed and dirty quite fast.

Note: Before you apply polyurethane to a hardwood floor, understand that you’ll probably need to be out of the house for a few days after it’s applied, as living in a house with curing poly can negatively affect your health in several ways.

FAQs

Should you use polyurethane over tung oil?

Yes, you should apply poly over tung oil to ensure terrific durability, visual appeal, and 100% water resistance. Just make sure you apply a clear poly, i.e. a water-based version, so the accentuated wood grain and color shine through.

Can you mix polyurethane and tung oil?

No, you shouldn’t mix these two finishes. You can apply poly after tung oil, but not vice versa. And if you were to mix these finishes, you’d just get a viscous mess. If you were to leave this concoction of finishes on a wood surfaces, it’d probably just flake up or peel.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to tung oil versus polyurethane, there’s no clear-cut winner. I’ve used both wood finishes and they each have their own benefits.

Tung oil is mainly used to improve the look and feel of wood surfaces, while polyurethane is used for its durability and sealing capability.

If you want to take advantage of what both finishes have to offer, use tung oil before polyurethane.