best citrus solvent for tung oil: 5 Best Choices

When I first started dabbling in woodworking, especially with natural finishes like tung oil, I quickly learned that while tung oil is fantastic, it can be a bit thick for some applications, and cleanup can be a real pain. That’s when I went searching for the best citrus solvent for tung oil. I wanted something effective, but also safer and more pleasant to work with than traditional mineral spirits or turpentine. After trying a few options, I’ve got some insights to share on what truly makes a great citrus solvent for both thinning tung oil and tackling those inevitable sticky messes.

IMAGE	PRODUCT NAME	AMAZON LINK
	Nature’s Orange 100% Pure Food Grade D-Limonene (Orange Oil…	View on Amazon
	Real Milk Paint, Dark Tung Oil for Wood Finishing,…	View on Amazon
	Citrus Solvent for Tung Oil Liquid 12 oz – Bundle…	View on Amazon
	Citrus Solvent for Tung Oil Liquid 12 oz – Bundle…	View on Amazon
	ECO-HOUSE 115 Xtra Mild Paint Thinner – Citrus Scent, Low…	View on Amazon

Nature’s Orange 100% Pure Food Grade D-Limonene (Orange Oil)

This isn’t just any citrus solvent; it’s pure D-Limonene, the natural compound that gives oranges their scent. When you’re working with tung oil, especially on food-contact surfaces, having a food-grade solvent is a huge peace of mind. I’ve found it incredibly effective for thinning tung oil to get deeper penetration on dense woods and for effortlessly cleaning my brushes afterward. Plus, that fresh orange scent is a welcome change from harsh chemical fumes.

Key features that stand out:
– 100% Pure D-Limonene: Ensures maximum potency and natural origin.
– Food Grade: GRAS rated by the FDA, making it safe for use around food prep areas.
– Biodegradable: An eco-friendly choice that breaks down naturally.
– Child-Resistant, Fluorinated HDPE Bottles: Prioritizes safety in packaging.
– Made in USA, Florida: Supports a family-owned business.

Pros:
– Extremely effective for thinning and cleaning.
– Pleasant, natural citrus scent.
– Food-grade safety is a significant advantage.
– Biodegradable and environmentally conscious.

Cons:
– Can be quite strong if not diluted or used in well-ventilated areas.

Best for: Woodworkers and DIYers who prioritize pure, food-grade solvents for both thinning tung oil and thorough cleanup, especially on items like cutting boards or bowls.

Expert Opinion: This is my go-to for purity and performance, especially if you prioritize food-grade safety and want a truly natural solution for working with tung oil. It’s incredibly versatile.

Real Milk Paint, Dark Tung Oil for Wood Finishing

Now, this isn’t a citrus solvent, but it’s such a fantastic product that many people use citrus solvents with it. Real Milk Paint’s Dark Tung Oil is a 100% pure tung oil that delivers a beautiful, deep matte, waterproof, and protective finish. I’ve used this to give new life to older furniture and bring out a rich, aged look on new wood. While it doesn’t thin itself, understanding its properties helps highlight why you’d want a good citrus solvent on hand for thinning, application, and cleanup when using a pure oil like this.

Key features that stand out:
– 100% Pure Dark Tung Oil: Provides a dark, matte, and waterproof finish.
– Multiple Uses: Versatile for countertops, butcher blocks, furniture, and even concrete.
– Food Grade: Safe for food contact, great for kitchen items.
– Waterproof: Acts as a durable wood sealer with natural resin.
– Planet Friendly: Zero VOC, heavy metals, additives, or distillates.

Pros:
– Creates a durable, attractive, and food-safe finish.
– Eco-friendly with zero VOCs.
– Achieves a beautiful aged look.
– Excellent waterproofing properties.

Cons:
– Not a solvent itself, so you’ll still need a separate citrus solvent for thinning or cleanup.

Best for: Anyone looking for a premium, natural, dark tung oil finish that is food-safe and eco-friendly, and who needs a reliable citrus solvent to help with its application and cleanup.

Expert Opinion: While not a solvent, this Dark Tung Oil is a top-tier finish. To thin it for easier penetration or application, or for easy cleanup afterward, a pure citrus solvent like D-Limonene is an ideal, natural pairing that maintains its food-safe integrity.

Citrus Solvent for Tung Oil Liquid 12 oz – Bundle (Single De-Solv-it)

This De-Solv-it Citrus Solution bundle is a practical choice for anyone tackling sticky situations around the workshop. It’s designed to be a powerful stain remover, and I appreciate that it comes with cleaning gloves and a plastic brush, making it a ready-to-use kit for tough messes. While it’s not specifically marketed for thinning tung oil, its strong citrus formula makes it excellent for dissolving hardened tung oil drips or cleaning tools.

Key features that stand out:
– Gift Set Includes: 1x De-Solv-it Citrus Solution, 1x Cleaning Gloves, 1x Plastic Brush.
– Powerful Stain Removal: Effectively removes adhesives, candle wax, grease, and more.
– Eco-Friendly & Safe: 100% organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
– Comfortable Cleaning: Gloves provide protection, and the brush aids scrubbing.
– Multipurpose Use: Works on a wide range of surfaces.

Pros:
– Comes with useful accessories for immediate cleaning tasks.
– Highly effective on various tough, oily, and sticky stains.
– Eco-friendly and safe for use around the home.
– Versatile for many cleaning needs beyond woodworking.

Cons:
– Primarily geared towards cleaning, not specifically formulated for thinning finishes.

Best for: General workshop cleanup, removing stubborn tung oil spills or drips, and dissolving other sticky messes with the convenience of included cleaning tools.

Expert Opinion: This bundle is fantastic for everyday spills and cleanup around the workshop, especially if you appreciate the included tools. It’s a great complementary cleaner for any tung oil user looking for an effective, eco-friendly solution.

Citrus Solvent for Tung Oil Liquid 12 oz – Bundle (Double De-Solv-it)

Essentially, this is the same great De-Solv-it Citrus Solution as the previous entry, but you get two 12oz bottles in one convenient bundle. If you find yourself frequently reaching for citrus solvent for cleanup or have larger projects, this double pack offers better value. It’s the same powerful, eco-friendly, and versatile cleaner for those challenging adhesive, grease, or sticky tung oil residue issues, ensuring you won’t run out mid-project.

Key features that stand out:
– 2x 12oz Bottles: Excellent value and quantity for frequent users.
– Includes Cleaning Gloves & Plastic Brush: Complete cleaning kit.
– Powerful Stain Removal: Tackles tough challenges like sticky, oily stains.
– Eco-Friendly & Safe: 100% organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
– Multipurpose Use: Versatile for countertops, upholstery, and more.

Pros:
– Great value for money with two bottles.
– Ensures you have a good supply for ongoing projects.
– Highly effective on a wide range of tough, oily, and sticky stains.
– Eco-friendly and safe.

Cons:
– Offers the same core product as the single bundle, just more of it.

Best for: Frequent users, those with larger workshops, or anyone looking for a great value on a versatile and effective citrus-based cleaning solution for tung oil messes and general cleanup.

Expert Opinion: If you love the De-Solv-it solution for cleanup and appreciate its eco-friendly nature, this double pack is a no-brainer. You get more of a good thing for slightly less per ounce, ensuring you’re well-stocked.

ECO-HOUSE 115 Xtra Mild Paint Thinner – Citrus Scent, Low VOC

For artists and woodworkers who need a high-performance, low-toxicity alternative to traditional paint thinners like turpentine, the ECO-HOUSE 115 Xtra Mild Paint Thinner is a fantastic option. It boasts an eco-friendly citrus formula and a mild scent, making it much more pleasant for indoor use. I’ve found it excellent for not only thinning oil paints and varnishes (including tung oil for better penetration) but also for cleaning delicate brushes without damaging them.

Key features that stand out:
– Eco-Friendly Citrus Formula: Made from natural plant oils with a pleasant citrus scent.
– Safe Alternative to Turpentine: Low toxicity, low odor, and biodegradable.
– Versatile Artist & DIY Solvent: Ideal for thinning oil paints, cleaning brushes, dissolving resins.
– Gentle Yet Effective Cleaning: Preserves brush bristles and extends tool life.
– Low VOC & Sustainable Choice: High performance without compromising health or air quality.

Pros:
– Genuinely low odor and low toxicity for safer indoor use.
– Excellent for thinning oil-based finishes like tung oil.
– Gentle on tools and brushes, extending their lifespan.
– Biodegradable and environmentally responsible.

Cons:
– Might be a bit pricier than basic D-Limonene, but justified by its formulation.

Best for: Artists, woodworkers, and restorers who need a professional-grade, genuinely low-toxicity solvent for thinning tung oil, cleaning fine brushes, and working with other oil-based finishes.

Expert Opinion: This is a top pick for those seeking a professional-grade, genuinely low-toxicity thinner. Its mild nature and effectiveness make it ideal for indoor use without compromising performance, especially when precise thinning of tung oil is required.

Helpful Comparison Short Insights

When picking the best citrus solvent for tung oil, you’ll notice a few key differences. For pure thinning and food-grade applications, the Nature’s Orange 100% Pure Food Grade D-Limonene is hard to beat due to its purity and FDA GRAS rating. It’s essentially the raw material, highly effective for both thinning and heavy-duty cleanup.

If your primary need is a versatile, eco-friendly cleaner for general workshop messes and spills, the De-Solv-it Citrus Solution bundles are excellent. They offer great stain removal power and the included gloves and brush are a handy bonus. The double pack gives you better value for frequent use.

For those who are specifically looking for a safer, low-VOC alternative to traditional paint thinners for detailed work like thinning tung oil, cleaning delicate brushes, and dissolving resins, the ECO-HOUSE 115 Xtra Mild Paint Thinner shines. It balances strong performance with a truly mild formulation, making it ideal for sensitive environments.

And remember, the Real Milk Paint, Dark Tung Oil itself isn’t a solvent, but it’s a stellar finish that perfectly pairs with a good citrus solvent for both application consistency and cleanup. You’ll often use a solvent to thin this tung oil to achieve different penetration and finish results.

Final Verdict

Choosing the best citrus solvent for tung oil really comes down to your primary use case.

If purity, food-grade safety, and maximum thinning power are your top priorities for your tung oil projects, go with Nature’s Orange 100% Pure Food Grade D-Limonene. It’s the closest you get to the essence of citrus solvents.

For general, powerful workshop cleanup of sticky tung oil residue and other tough stains, especially when you want the convenience of included tools, the De-Solv-it Citrus Solution bundles (particularly the double pack for value) are your best bet.

However, if you’re an artist or woodworker looking for a sophisticated, low-odor, low-toxicity thinner that works wonderfully for precision thinning of tung oil and protects your valuable brushes, then the ECO-HOUSE 115 Xtra Mild Paint Thinner is the superior choice. It offers a premium experience without harsh fumes.

Ultimately, having a good citrus solvent on hand makes working with tung oil a much more pleasant and efficient experience, regardless of which product you choose!

FAQ Section

Q1: What is citrus solvent and why use it with tung oil?
A: Citrus solvent, typically derived from d-Limonene found in orange peels, is a natural, biodegradable solvent. You use it with tung oil primarily to thin the oil for better penetration into wood, especially on dense surfaces, and to make it easier to apply. It’s also an excellent, less toxic alternative to traditional mineral spirits or turpentine for cleaning brushes and tools after using tung oil, and for cleaning up spills or drips.

Q2: Is citrus solvent safe to use on food-contact surfaces treated with tung oil?
A: When choosing the best citrus solvent for tung oil for food-contact items, it’s crucial to select a food-grade D-Limonene, like Nature’s Orange 100% Pure Food Grade D-Limonene. While the solvent evaporates during the tung oil’s curing process, using a food-grade option provides extra assurance, especially if you’re thinning the oil that will be applied to cutting boards or bowls. Always ensure adequate ventilation and allow the tung oil finish to fully cure before food contact.

Q3: How much citrus solvent should I use to thin tung oil?
A: The amount of citrus solvent needed to thin tung oil depends on the desired consistency and penetration. For the first coat on very dense wood, you might thin tung oil up to 50% with citrus solvent. For subsequent coats or less dense wood, 10-25% thinning is common. Always start with a small amount and add more gradually until you achieve the desired flow. It’s best to test on a scrap piece of wood first.

Q4: Can I use citrus solvent for cleaning up dried tung oil?
A: Citrus solvents are highly effective at dissolving wet or tacky tung oil. For completely dried tung oil, they can soften and break down the finish, but it might require more effort and multiple applications, possibly with some scrubbing. For heavy, dried-on tung oil, you might need stronger mechanical removal methods first, followed by citrus solvent for residue.

Q5: What are the benefits of using citrus solvent over mineral spirits or turpentine?
A: The main benefits of using citrus solvent as the best citrus solvent for tung oil are its natural origin, biodegradability, and often a more pleasant, less harsh citrus scent. It’s generally considered a safer and less toxic alternative compared to petroleum-based mineral spirits or turpentine, which can have strong fumes and environmental concerns. Many people find it less irritating to skin and respiratory systems.

Q6: Does citrus solvent affect the drying time of tung oil?
A: Yes, thinning tung oil with any solvent, including citrus solvent, will generally increase its drying time. This is because the solvent needs to evaporate before the tung oil can fully cure. Thicker coats and higher concentrations of solvent will lead to longer drying times. Always ensure good ventilation to aid evaporation.

Q7: Is citrus solvent flammable?
A: Most pure D-Limonene and citrus-based solvents have a higher flash point than highly flammable solvents like mineral spirits or lacquer thinner, making them generally safer to handle. However, they are still combustible and should be used with proper ventilation, away from open flames, and stored in appropriate containers according to manufacturer guidelines. Always check the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific information.