Dark Tung Oil Butcher Block Countertops

This is our second time using butcher block countertops in a kitchen remodel. There are several reasons why I love them, they're affordable, easy to install and look great. 

We tried using as many green products as we could, so in this kitchen remodel I wanted to use all  natural tung oil.
There are many tung oil products out there but only a few are pure tung oil.

Here are just a few of the advantages of using pure tung oil:

• Doesn't form a glossy finish
• Forms a flexible water proof finish
• FDA approved for food contact
• Doesn't darken over time like linseed oil
• Resists abrasion and acids

I found a dark tung oil from the Real Milk Paint Company which adds a rich beautiful patina.

They also sell many other environmentally friendly products including paint.

BEFORE

Real pure tung oil is non-toxic so it's a great choice for a countertops, however most people recommend thinning pure tung oil with mineral spirits, turpentine or naphtha. If you add these solvents to thin the tung oil it is no longer non-toxic. 

The Real Milk Paint Company has a great solution for this, they recommend and sell a citrus solvent to mix with tung oil, which allows it to remain non-toxic. This was really important to me.

Let me tell you it was so easy to apply. I followed their applications instructions on the bottle, and also found tips and suggestions on their website.

 

I even used it on the kitchen island top, I love it and 

trust me I'll be using this stuff again on other projects.