Easy Wood Finish: Tung Oil and Wax

updated Mar 11, 2020
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Finishing wood can take days and even weeks, but there are a few natural and easy wood finishes that Ben Light recommends as alternatives. Today, he brings us: Tung Oil and Wax.

(Image credit: Ben Light, Abby Ballin, Rebecca Blumhagen)

Finishing wood can take days and even weeks, but there are a few natural and easy wood finishes that Ben Light recommends as alternatives. Today, he brings us: Tung Oil and Wax.

Step 1 Gather the materials: Tung oil, furniture wax, a bunch of clean rags (cut up T-shirts work great), rubber gloves


Step 2 Make sure the wood surface is clean and dust free.


Step 3 While wearing gloves, apply Tung oil to a clean rag. Be generous with the amount on the first coat. Rub the oil all over the piece. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for any other particular tips/techniques on disposing of the used rags.


Step 4 Let the oil dry for 5 – 20 minutes, then with another clean rag rub the wood piece again. Let piece sit for 8 hours to let the oil fully dry.


Step 5 You can repeat steps 3 and 4 as many times as you like. I usually apply 3 coats of oil.


Step 6 With a clean rag, apply the wax. Rub the wax all over the piece.


Step 7 Let wax dry for 5 to 20 minutes, then buff out the wax with a clean rag.


Step 8 Repeat steps 6 and 7 as many times as you like. I typically do this 3 times.

• The Star: Ben Light is a New York-based maker, designer, and Cash Cab contestant. Ben’s work has appeared in the Museum of Arts and Design, the MoMA Design Store, and on the shelves at Crate & Barrel. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and a Masters from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). Ben may love his lathe just a little too much.

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• Meet the Maker: Ben Light
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• How to Make a Simple Scrap Wood End Table