Tung oil is one of the classic finishes applied to wooden floors. Even with several modern alternatives on the market many homeowners still like the rich, slightly wet look of Tung oil.
Some floor oils are sold under the name Tung oil, but are really a combination of Tung oil and other natural oils, or Tung oil modified with cobalt drier. Some of these are fine wood finishes in their own right, but not always appropriate for flooring. The Cobalt modified version actually gives a smoother finish than raw Tung oil.
Problems can occur when a floor with one type of finish is repaired with a different type of finish. One of the advantages of Tung oil is that a scratch can be neatly covered up by applying more oil. Unfortunately, people assume that all floor oils, even those labelled Tung Oil, are identical. So when they try to cover up a scratch by applying more oil they find the scratch turns a different colour.
Alternate Finishes for Floor Sanders Sydney
Tung oil will darken the wood on a floor. For many people this is a desired effect. Other people prefer to maintain a natural look for the floors, and apply a protective coating just to preserve this natural appearance.
Polyurethane protects floors without changing their natural appearance. Solvent based polyurethane will darken slightly over time, turning very slightly amber; but water based polyurethane is almost invisible.
Light scratches from negligence or accidents can sometimes be fixed by applying more of the same finish used on the rest of the floor. Deep scratches will require more serious work.
Repairing with Floors Sanders Sydney
Wooden floors are quite durable, but not indestructible. Heavy damage can be fixed by re-sanding the floor surface. Many homeowners are in the habit of having their floors re-sanded every decade to renew their original appearance. Hardwood floors can last over a century with re-sanding every decade.
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