Hey everyone! I'm a young engineering researcher and a couple of weeks ago, I asked about tung oil. I've heard that Hope's Pure Tung Oil is a great brand and actually consists of pure tung oil, not just marketing fluff. However, since I'm planning to use it as a coating for biodegradable food containers, I need to know more about its properties, particularly its smell. We've been using Minwax, which unfortunately isn't pure tung oil and isn't food safe. We're thinking about ordering Hope's Pure Tung Oil from overseas, so any insights on the smell, drying, and curing times would be super helpful! Thanks for all your help!
3 Answers
Honestly, if your company can manage, I’d recommend placing a small order to see for yourself. That way, you can test the smell firsthand and also figure out any other properties you might need. Plus, contacting the manufacturer for specific details about drying and curing times could really help your decision.
The smell of pure tung oil is pretty nutty, and if you haven't encountered tung nuts before, it's quite distinct, similar to other tree nuts like hickory. It does have a lingering odor while curing, but once it fully cures, that smell dissipates. Just keep in mind that it takes quite a while to cure, so plan accordingly!
The smell is definitely nutty while it's curing, sort of like what you'd get from walnuts. After the solvent evaporates, you’re left with that nutty scent, which some people might find a bit off-putting. Also, if you’re focused on food safety, note that the tung tree has parts that are poisonous, including the seeds. Just something to think about!