Polymerized Tung Oil
Sutherland Welles Ltd. ® Pure Polymerized Tung Oil is the perfect choice when creating the finest hand-rubbed finish. Our unique process of polymerization involves “cooking” raw tung oil, a vegetable oil, to its “maximum thermal threshold”. This sophisticated polymerization process develops both the ultimate hand-rubbed sheen and the curing capabilities of a quality finish without adding varnishes or urethanes. Polymerization is an expensive process that at its perfect point produces oil that has maximum durability and a gorgeous sheen. If the process isn’t well controlled the oil solidifies to the consistency of an erasure and the entire batch is lost.
The intricacy and therefore expense of the process is what leads most companies to formulate with modifiers. This adds to the toxicity of the finish and inhibits the penetration of the oil into the wood fibers as well as slowing the drying and curing time. They believe they can achieve the same results with a cheaper process and formulation. In time, the varnishes and urethanes discolor and deteriorate, degrading the finish.
Our polymerization process helps to lower the toxicity of our Tung oil finish as it improves the curing ability of the oil, reducing the need for additional chemical dryers. The driers that are used in the formulations have been researched and found to be of the lowest toxicity available. The Polymerized Tung Oil must also be formulated with solvents to thin the oil to maximize its workability and penetration. We use the purest solvents available, reducing the environmental impact and minimizing a finisher’s exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals. When the formulation is complete, the result is a Polymerized Tung Oil finish that is both finisher-friendly and environmentally responsible.
Polymerized Tung Oil finishes are hard yet flexible, waterproof and impervious to alcohol and many food acids. As a penetrating oil, it allows wood to continue its aging process and to develop its patina. The wood’s rich natural color is enhanced while the wood is nurtured with Polymerized Tung oil. A floor, a piece of furniture, or any other wood object finished and maintained with Polymerized Tung Oil will never have to be stripped again. Any sign of wear disappears when a thin “maintenance” coat of oil is rubbed in. The maintenance coats, rather than cause a build-up, actually improve the patina as they protect and preserve the wood. Ultimately, any project finished with our Polymerized Tung Oil becomes more beautiful with time.
Formulations available:
Interior applications only. Available in Sealer, Low, Medium and High Lustre. This formulation uses a citrus based solvent system. It is produced from a 99% sustainable tree sources.
Interior applications only. Part of the Botanical Polymerized Tung Oil family. This formulation is made with our citrus solvent but we eliminate all the driers so it can fully saturate the wood and add beeswax for protection. This is the only formulation in a pure oil capable of having a flat sheen and protecting a surface.
Interior applications only. Available in Sealer, Low, Medium and High Lustre. This formulation uses a highly refined mineral spirit solvent system.
Exterior applications only. Available in Exterior Sealer and Medium Lustre. Formulated with our highly refined mineral spirit solvent, two ultraviolet guards and a mildewcide to protect the cured surface.
| 