Author: Let's Upgrade Painting

Are you staring at a beautiful piece of tung oil-finished wood, wishing you could give it a fresh new look with a coat of paint? 

Maybe you’ve got a cherished piece of furniture that doesn’t quite match your new decor, or perhaps you’re looking to breathe new life into some old wood paneling. 

Whatever your reason, you’re probably wondering, “Can I actually paint over this tung oil finish?”

I have some good news for you – you can paint over tung oil!

In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about painting over tung oil.

Can You Paint Over Tung Oil?

The short answer is yes, you can paint over tung oil, but it’s not as simple as slapping some paint on and calling it a day.

Tung oil penetrates deep into the wood and creates a tough barrier that can make it challenging for paint to adhere well. So you need to sand and prime the wood first.

Also Read: Do You Let Cut In Dry Before Rolling?

And you can’t use any paint either – oil based paints and acrylic paints are your best bet.

Oil-Based paints is the best choice for painting over tung oil. They play nice with the tung oil and tend to stick better. Plus, they’re tough, so they can handle some wear and tear.

Acrylic paints can work too, especially if you want more color choices or faster drying times. But you’ll need to be extra careful with priming if you go with these.

How To Paint Over Tung Oil

With that out of the way, let me walk you through how to paint over tung oil step by step.

It might seem like a lot, but trust me, it’s worth it for a great finish.

#1 Allow Tung Oil To Cure

Before attempting to paint over tung oil, you’ve got to let the tung oil fully cure.

Tung oil typically takes about 15 to 30 days to cure completely, depending on the environmental conditions and the number of coats applied. 

Some processed tung oil finishes might even be ready in about 5-7 days!

I know, I know, it’s a long wait. But painting over uncured oil is just asking for trouble.

Want to check if it’s ready? Just press a clean cloth on it. If it feels sticky or leaves oil on the cloth, it needs more time.

#2 Clean The Surface

Once the tung oil has cured, thoroughly clean the surface to remove any dirt, dust, or grease. 

Use a mild detergent solution and warm water, then rinse well and allow the surface to dry completely. This is super important because any leftover gunk can mess with how well your paint sticks and cause the new paint to peel or flake.

If you’ve got some really stubborn dirt, you might need a special wood cleaner. Just make sure you rinse it off really well afterward.

#3 Sand Lightly

After cleaning, lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-320 grit). 

The goal here is not to remove the tung oil entirely but to create a slightly rough surface that will allow the primer to bond more effectively. 

Be gentle, though – we don’t want to damage the wood. 

Sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid creating visible scratches. 

When you’re done, wipe off all the dust with a tack cloth. A vacuum with a brush attachment can help too.

Also Read: Do You Prime Before Texture?

#4 Prime The Surface

Priming is super important here. You want an oil-based primer that’ll work with both the tung oil and your new paint. If you can find a bonding primer made for glossy surfaces, even better. 

Apply it evenly with a brush or roller, and follow the instructions on the can for drying times. 

This primer creates a barrier between the tung oil and the new paint, promoting better adhesion and a more uniform final appearance. 

Depending on what you’re working with, you might need two coats for the best coverage.

#5 Paint Over Tung Oil

Finally, the fun part – painting! 

Make sure you’re using good quality paint that matches your primer. 

Here’s a pro tip: apply thin, even coats. It might be tempting to glob it on, but trust me, thin coats are the way to go. Use long, smooth strokes, and keep them all going in the same direction.

You might need a few coats to get the color just right.

Let each coat dry completely before you add another. 

Oh, and don’t forget to open some windows, especially if you’re using oil-based paint – that stuff can be pretty strong!

Bottom Line

You can paint over tung oil, but it does take some work. The key is to be patient and follow all the steps – let it cure, clean it well, sand it lightly, prime it right, and then paint away. 

Also Read: Can You Skim Coat Over Wallpaper?

If you try to rush it or skip steps, you might end up with paint that peels or looks blotchy. 

But if you take your time and do it right, you’ll end up with a beautiful, long-lasting paint job that looks like it was done by a pro. 

FAQs

Tung Oil Over Acrylic Paint

No, you cannot apply tung oil over acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is a water-based paint that forms a film on top of the surface. Tung oil, being an oil-based product, will not adhere well to this film and could cause peeling or bubbling.

Can You Stain Over Tung Oil?

Yes, you can stain over tung oil, but the stain will likely be darker than if applied directly to bare wood. Plus, the stain may not penetrate as deeply because of the protective layer of tung oil.

Can You Put Tung Oil Over Paint?

No, you cannot put tung oil over paint. Tung oil is designed to penetrate wood and provide a natural finish. Applying it over paint would likely result in a poor finish and potential peeling.

Can You Use Tung Oil Over Chalk Paint

No, you cannot use tung oil over chalk paint. Chalk paint is a porous paint that absorbs moisture. Tung oil will not adhere to it.

Thinking about giving your room a fresh look? Painting can really transform a space, but getting that professional finish takes a bit of know-how. 

One question that comes up a lot is do you let the cut-in areas dry before rolling. 

It might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in your final result.

Turns out, you should NOT let the cut-in dry before rolling.

In this post, I’ll explain why you should let cut-in dry before rolling, what happens if you let it dry, and the scenarios when you should actually let it dry before rolling.

Do You Let Cut In Dry Before Rolling?

The short answer is no, you generally shouldn’t let the cut-in dry before rolling.

The idea is to keep a “wet edge” between the cut-in and the rolled paint. This way, you get a smooth transition without any awkward lines.

Also Read: Do You Prime Before Texture?

Here’s the general process:

1. Cut in: Paint along the edges of the surface with a brush.
2. Roll: Immediately start rolling the main area of the surface.
3. Blend: While the cut-in and rolled paint are still wet, use the roller to gently blend the edges together.

But there are some exceptions. Quick-drying paints, like Benjamin Moore Aura, might need a different approach. We’ll get into that later.

What Happens If You Let Cut-In Dry?

Keeping a wet edge is super important if you want your paint job to look top-notch. When you blend wet cut-in paint with wet rolled paint, you get this seamless finish that looks like a pro did it.

But what if you let the cut-in dry before rolling?

Well, a few things could happen, and they might mess up your paint job:

Visible Lines And “Picture Framing”

The biggest problem you’ll notice is visible lines between the cut-in areas and the rolled parts.

People call this “picture framing” because it looks like there’s a frame around the edge of your wall. It happens because the dried cut-in paint creates a distinct edge that the roller can’t fully blend with the rest of the wall.

These lines can be particularly obvious in certain lighting conditions or with glossier paint finishes, and they can make your paint job look less professional.

Also Read: Can You Skim Coat Over Wallpaper?

Texture Inconsistencies

Another problem that can happen is a difference in texture between the cut-in and rolled areas. Brushes used for cutting in tend to leave a smoother finish, while rollers create a slightly bumpy or stippled effect. 

When you let the cut-in dry, these texture differences become a lot more noticeable. 

The result is a wall with noticeable variations in texture, which can be especially evident in areas with strong lighting or on walls with a glossy finish. 

This inconsistency can detract from the overall quality of your paint job.

Color Variations

This one’s not always obvious, but there’s a chance the color might look a bit different between the dried cut-in paint and the fresh rolled areas. 

It’s more likely to happen with deeper or brighter colors because the way paint dries can slightly change how it looks in the end.

You might end up with a wall that looks like a subtle patchwork of almost-but-not-quite-matching colors – definitely not the uniform, professional finish you were aiming for!

Tips For Different Paint Sheens

The shine level of your paint can affect how forgiving it is if the cut-in dries before rolling. 

Flat and eggshell finishes are usually more forgiving. 

If you end up with some dried cut-in areas before rolling with these sheens, you might not notice the differences as much.

But when you’re dealing with satin, semi-gloss, or glossy finishes, you’ve got to be more careful about keeping that wet edge. These shinier paints reflect more light, so any inconsistencies in texture or how you apply it will be more noticeable. 

When you’re working with these higher-sheen paints, it’s extra important to work in smaller sections and keep everything wet as you go.

When Is It Ok To Let Cut-In Dry Before Rolling?

Now, even though keeping a wet edge is usually the way to go, there are times when it’s okay (or even better) to let the cut-in dry before rolling. 

Some fast-drying paints, like Benjamin Moore Aura, are actually made to be used with the cut-in allowed to dry first. These paints form a skin quickly, and if you try to blend wet paint with paint that’s starting to dry, you can end up pulling the paint and getting an uneven finish.

If you’re putting on multiple coats of paint, it can be fine to let the cut-in dry between coats. 

In this case, you’d cut in and roll each coat separately, giving it plenty of time to dry in between. 

This can be really helpful when you’re making a big color change and need really good coverage.

Some painting techniques, like back-rolling, can also work well with dried cut-in areas. 

With this method, you cut in and let it dry, then roll the whole wall and immediately roll over it again with very light pressure to even out the texture.

Also Read: How we Prep Walls for Painting After Removing Wallpaper

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it! When it comes to letting cut-in areas dry before rolling, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. 

While keeping a wet edge is usually the best way to get that smooth, pro-looking finish, there are times when letting the cut-in dry can work well too. 

The key is understanding your paint and the look you’re going for, and then decide.

FAQs

Can You Cut In And Paint The Next Day?

No. It’s generally not recommended to cut in and paint the next day. You should try to maintain a wet edge between the cut-in and rolled paint.

Do I Need To Cut In Second Coat Of Paint?

Yes, you need to cut in the second coat of paint. This helps to ensure a clean, even finish and prevents the second coat from overlapping onto the first.