CHARACTERISTICS OF PURE TUNG OIL: 

  • Contains zero VOCs

  • All-natural oil pressed from tung tree seeds

  • Naturally polymerizing finish

  • Cures by oxidation-not evaporation

  • Does not form a glossy finish no matter the number of coats (creates a matte finish)

  • Forms a semi-hard, flexible, waterproof finish

  • Resists abrasion and acids

  • Does not blister and peel when properly applied

  • Does not mold or turn rancid in storage like linseed oil can

  • Cured finish will not bleed or mildew like linseed oil finish can

  • Long shelf life-will last for years if properly sealed

  • Does not darken with time like linseed oil

  • FDA approved for food contact

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW TUNG OIL PLUS : A perfect outdoor wood treatment oil that provides the very best non-toxic way to finish your hives. This exterior oil is made with 100% Pure Tung Oil, Pine Oil, and Zinc. It offers everything that tung oil does and more! Using tung oil plus will let you keep the natural look of your cedar hives while giving them even more protection from the elements than with regular tung oil. If you desire the look that dark tung oil gives, tung oil plus can be mixed with it.

FINISHING YOUR HIVE WITH PURE TUNG OIL (REGULAR OR DARK): All surfaces to be finished should be sanded with 100-grit sandpaper (the hives we sell are already sanded except for, usually, the floor and box handles) and dusted to remove all loose particles (you can wipe the sanded surfaces with a damp cloth or blow them off with compressed air). For better penetration of the first application, pure tung oil can be thinned with an equal amount of citrus solvent. Click here and review the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for citrus solvent before you use it. This extra penetration of the finish is beneficial because it makes the finish thicker and hardens the wood, which will help to reduce any damage that can occur while separating boxes with a hive tool. If you do use the citrus solvent, the thinned oil can be applied quickly by setting up the hive (install the quilt box upside-down to keep from getting the canvas wet with over-spray) and using an inexpensive spray bottle to evenly apply the mixture to all surfaces, nooks and crannies. All exterior surfaces can be finished (including the landing board), as well as the top and bottom edges of hive bodies, floors etc.. Do NOT apply finish to the inside of the hive or to the quilt box. The first coat should be a liberal one, but don’t apply so much that puddles are created anywhere. If not using a citrus solvent/oil mixture as described above, simply apply the oil to individual hive components with a natural bristle or sponge brush. Allow this first application to be absorbed by the wood for an hour before buffing the surface with a clean cotton cloth (something with low lint, like an old T-shirt). Frequently check for any seepage of oil during the next 2 hours, and buff off any of that you see. Wait at least 24 hours before applying another coat. Pure tung oil (unthinned) should be used for all coats after the first one, and any standing oil should be wiped away within 30 minutes. Ideally, apply 4 coats, allowing at least 24 hours between applications. Pure tung oil requires 7 to 10 days for a minimum cure and 15 to 30 days for a full cure.

FINISHING YOUR HIVE WITH TUNG OIL PLUS: Instructions for finishing your hive with tung oil plus are the same as those shown above, except that subsequent coats can be applied after only 4 hours, rather than 24 hours. It’s very important to shake tung oil plus very well and often during use, making sure there is no sediment on the bottom of the container. Also note that tung oil plus is already thinned and has excellent penetrating qualities. It’s not necessary to using citrus solvent with this product.

CAUTION: If you use citrus solvent to thin the first coat of tung oil, or are using the tung oil plus, good ventilation must be maintained until the solvent vapors have adequately evaporated (about 4 hours or so under most conditions). Any and all rags that are wet with a citrus solvent/tung oil mixture must be hung outside to dry before being stored or disposed of.

TEMPERATURE:  Our finishing oils should remain above freezing during and after application for a period of 10 to 15 days. If freezing temperatures do occur, it’s possible for the fat in the oil to separate and deposit on the wood surface. The warmer the temperature, the faster the oil will cure, but direct sunlight baking a surface during or after a fresh application can quickly polymerize the oil and result in a dry, rubbery, frosted appearance and/or a distinctly more glossy finish than the surrounding area, so don’t apply oils in direct sunlight and avoid exposing oiled surfaces to direct sunlight until the final coats have cured for at least 24 hours.

STORING MATERIAL:  Any of our finishing oils should be stored in moderate temperatures. Do not freeze and do not store in hot places like attics. Don’t store citrus solvent or a mixture of tung oil and citrus solvent in anything other than the original, white citrus solvent container. These are treated to hold the solvent for optimum storage.