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Half and Half Tung Oil with Citrus Blend or Pine Oil
Half and Half Tung Oil with Citrus Blend or Pine Oil - Image 2

Half and Half Tung Oil with Citrus Blend or Pine Oil

From: $4.99

A perfect blend of Pure Tung Oil and natural, food-grade thinners: Citrus Solvent or Pine Oil. Most projects require the thick viscosity of Pure Tung Oil to be thinned for better absorption into the surface. Half & Half is great for projects large and small.

The Citrus Solvent option uses biodegradable, food-grade solvent derived from citrus peels and offers a light, fresh aroma while delivering the same full-penetration, durable protection. The Pine Oil version provides the same performance and eco-friendly credentials, but uses sustainably sourced pine compounds and features a subtle pine scent instead of citrus.

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Product Description

Half and Half Tung Oil with Citrus or Pine Oil Blend

Our pre-mixed blend combines Pure Tung Oil with your choice of Citrus Solvent or Pine Oil for a ready-to-use finish that penetrates deeper and protects better.

  • Easy to use – no thinning or mixing required.
  • Versatile application – ideal for raw wood, butcher block countertops, cutting boards, concrete, terra cotta, stone, and slate.
  • Food-contact safe – a natural, non-toxic finish you can trust in the kitchen.
  • Durable protection – seals surfaces with 3–5 coats, creating a water-repellent finish.
  • All-natural cure – develops water resistance in 7–10 days, with a complete cure in 30 days.

Tip: Want to preview the finished look? Simply wet the surface with water—once dry, that’s the color you’ll see after oiling.

Compatible with all other RMP Finishes tung oil products and packaged in BPA- and phthalate-free recyclable bottles.

We’ve done the mixing, so you don’t have to.

Tung Oil With Citrus Solvent Tutorials

How to Finish Wood Countertops and Butcher Blocks
All RMP Finishes Tutorials & Videos

CitrusVsPine Thumbnail v2

Directions

There are four phases when it comes to using Half & Half tung oil for your projects.

  1. Preparation
  2. Application
  3. Curing
  4. Maintenance

  • The best operating temperature for applying tung oil with citrus solvent is above 50°F ( 10°C ).
  • Be sure the surface of your project is free of dust, debris, or grime.
  • Check to see if the surface is porous. (Half & Half works by absorbing into the material and filling the open pores. Therefore, if your material is not porous, it will not accept Half & Half. To test if your surface is porous or not, place a small amount of water on the surface. If the water absorbs, it is porous. If it does not and beads on the surface, you may need to sand and/or strip the surface.)
  • If you need to sand your surface, we recommend not going above 220-grit sandpaper. Too high of a sandpaper grit will “polish” the surface, hindering proper absorption of Half & Half.
  • If stripping your surface is needed, we recommend using Soy Gel: Paint and Urethane Stripper.
  • If you are looking for a darker color finish, take a look at our Dark Half.
  • We recommend using water or alcohol-based stains on the wood before the Half & Half is applied. Most oil-based stains should be avoided as they tend to seal the wood and prevent absorption of the Half & Half.
  • DO NOT use a wood conditioner. This will seal the wood and prevent the tung oil from absorbing.
  • NOTE: Only very old, dry wood or concrete tends to use unthinned Pure Tung Oil.
  • Extremely dense woods such as teak, ipe, etc may require thinning Half & Half with more solvent (up to 2 parts solvent to 1 part tung oil. Half & Half is already at a 1 to 1 ratio of solvent to tung oil) You can use Citrus Solvent as a natural, food contact safe thinner!
  • If you’re looking for a wood finish that doesn’t require any solvent, you may be interested in Hemp Oil.

When applying Half & Half, here’s a handy thing to remember: 

  1. Apply – Apply the Half & Half to the surface.
  2. Absorb – Let the oil absorb into the material.
  3. Repeat – Do what you just did, apply the oil, and let it absorb.
  4. Remove – When the oil isn’t absorbing and pooling on the surface, remove it with a rag.
  5. Cure – Let the tung oil go through its natural curing process.

Application Instructions

  • Saturate the surface until it no longer absorbs oil. After 40 minutes, puddles remaining on the surface show proper saturation.
  • Apply with a brush, rag, foam roller, or pump sprayer—brushes and foam rollers work best for most projects.
  • Allow the first coat to rest overnight before applying 1–2 additional coats the next day.
  • Multiple coats build saturation and protection.

Half & Half does not contain any additives to speed the drying process, such as heavy metallic dryers. Because of this, it can take up to 30 days to completely/thoroughly cure by its natural polymerization process. Provided below are some guidelines to follow during the curing phase.

  • Tung oil with citrus solvent cures best in warm, well-ventilated places. The warmer and more ventilated the area, the faster it will cure.
  • Placing objects on the surface will “suffocate” and prevent the tung oil from curing properly. If there is no airflow between the surface and the object, it should be removed until the curing is complete (30 days).
  • During the first 15 days of curing, you can use the surface. However, you will want to avoid getting it dirty or allowing liquids to puddle on the surface during this period.
  • As the Tung Oil cures, its durability and resistance to liquids and dirt will also increase. The first 7-15 days are when the oil is at its freshest and weakest state. After that point, increased regular use of the surface can take place.
  • As the Half & Half cures, it slightly expands and may push fresh oil back to the surface. Check for oil that may be seeping to the surface and remove it, if found, with a rag.
For butcher block, wood countertops, and etc.
  • Avoid getting dirt, water, or other liquids on the surface of the butcher block for at least the first 7-10 days.
  • We recommend putting wax or parchment paper down near sinks when doing dishes and other activities that splash water about. This will prevent the water from pooling on the surface and can be easily removed after dishwashing.
  • Avoid putting cutting boards, appliances, dishes, and other objects that sit close to the recently refinished surface for extended periods of time. These objects prevent airflow and can hinder Half & Half from curing.
  • If you are mounting or under mounting a sink, we recommend waiting for 7-10 days before mounting the sink. For caulk, we recommend using DAP Ultra Clear All Purpose Sealer. Silicone caulks tend to pull away from the oiled surface over time.
  • If you have an under-mount sink, we highly recommend saturating the end grain of the butcherblock in the sink area with straight Half & Half. This will help seal the very porous ends of the wood and give it the best resistance to water.
For indoor floors
  • Feel free to move about on your floors with either socks or rags underfoot after applying the Half & Half. Moving across the floor with rags or cloth material is actually recommended as it will help buff and prevent any oil that may seep to the surface.
  • You can move furniture back into the room after applying the Half & Half. However, keep area rugs and furniture that sits close to the floor off until the full 30 days are complete. We recommend placing plastic sliders between the floor and wooden legs of furniture. This will prevent the furniture leg from naturally pulling the oil out of the floor.
  • While the oil is at its freshest (usually the first 7-15 days) do not walk across the floor with dirty shoes. The dirt will be pressed into the fresh oil and will be hard to remove.
  • The floors can be temporarily covered with plastic, painter’s cloths, or cardboard for no more than a day.
  • Avoid having any liquids sit on the surface.
For outdoor decks, siding, and other wooden surfaces
  • Freezing temperatures can affect the curing of Half & Half. You will want to delay your project until the temperatures will be above freezing for a minimum of two weeks during the curing of the tung oil.
  • Do not apply the Half & Half in direct sunlight. The heat from the sun will flash polymerize the Half & Half while it is on the surface.
  • Try to apply Half & Half when rain is not in the forecast for a week or two. None of us can control the weather and should it rain on your newly oiled deck don’t worry. As soon as possible, remove the water from the surface using a leaf blower or a broom. You just want to prevent the water from staying on the newly finished surface.

The beautiful thing about a Pure Tung Oil finish is that its maintenance is easy. We recommend cleaning the surface with mild soap and hot water. Avoid using harsh chemicals, acids, or strong solvents to clean the surface.

When doing a maintenance coat, you do not need to sand the surface again. Here is what we recommend:

  1. Make sure the surface is clean and free of dust or debris.
  2. Make a 2 to 1 ratio of solvent to Pure Tung Oil (2 parts solvent, 1 part tung oil). This thinned mixture can easily find any open pores and fill them.
  3. Thinly apply this mixture using a clean cloth. Simply wipe it onto the surface; no need to lather it on.
  4. Wipe up any excess that may be on the surface with a clean, lint-free rag or cloth.
  5. Allow this thin coat to cure for 24 hours.
  6. Hang oil-soaked rags outdoors to dry.
  7. Go back to enjoying the surface like normal!

Half & Half can last with ease for multiple years on the shelf. Here are some guidelines to help you store it properly so it can be used for your next project.

  • Make sure the lid on the Half & Half packaging is tightly screwed on. This will keep air exchange from happening in the container.
  • Store the bottle in a dry, moderate temperature environment. A place where it won’t freeze or become excessively hot. Freezing of the oil will make the natural fats separate from the oil. Excessive heat can cook the oil to the point where it cures in the bottle.

  • Sample covers ≈ 1 sq. ft
  • 16 oz. covers ≈ 50 sq. feet
  • 32 oz. covers ≈ 100 sq. feet
  • Gallon covers ≈ 400 sq. feet
  • Example: 1 Gallon will do 1 coat on a 400 sq. foot surface.

How much oil do I need?

No need to crunch numbers! Our handy oil calculator will help you figure out how much you need! To get started, enter the dimensions of the surface(s) you’re finishing (in feet).

For example, to finish two rooms, you would add the width and length of each floor. Enter a single floor dimension, click “add area”, then enter the next floor dimension and watch the math take place.

Enter the dimensions of each surface area

Add each surface area you’re finishing, i.e. floor, walls, etc
ft wide
ft long
plus1 Add Area minus1 Remove Area

How Much Finishing Oil You'll Need

The calculator estimates how much oil you’ll need. The commonly recommended amount of coats for adequate protection and saturation is between 3 and 5. However, your project may absorb more or less oil as there are many variables for each project. This is intended for estimation purposes only. This calculator estimates results, and coverage per gallon may vary depending on factors like species of wood, age of wood, protection needed, etc.

sq/ft
8oz
8oz
16oz
16oz
32oz
32oz
Gallons
Gallons

Estimated Coverage per Coats:
400 sq. ft. per gallon/128oz
100 sq. ft. per  32oz
50 sq. ft. per 16oz
25 sq. ft. per 8oz

Most surfaces require Pure Tung Oil or Dark Tung Oil to be thinned. Our Half & Half, Dark Half, and Outdoor Defense Oil are pre-thinned options. Hemp Oil does not need thinning. If you do choose to thin the oil yourself at a 50/50 ratio, simply take the estimate in gallons above and divide it in half. One half will be the amount of oil needed and the other half will be solvent.
For example, if the calculator says you need 4 gallons, but you wish to thin it yourself. Then we recommend purchasing 2 gallons of the Pure or Dark Tung Oil and purchasing 2 gallons of a solvent or thinner like Citrus Solvent or Odorless Mineral Spirits.

Thinning Guidelines

Ingredients & SDS

We believe you deserve to know exactly what’s in our products. That’s why we share every ingredient—so you can feel confident in what you’re using.

Half & Half is made of:

  • Pure Tung Oil – FDA-approved for food contact.
  • Citrus Solvent or Pine Oil – natural, biodegradable alternatives to harsh petroleum-based solvents.

  • Pure Tung Oil: A safe, all-natural drying oil that penetrates deeply and hardens to create a durable, food-safe finish.
  • Citrus Solvent: Derived from citrus peels, this biodegradable solvent is FDA GRAS-certified (“Generally Recognized as Safe”) and has a clean, pleasant aroma. It’s obtained through pressing and steam extraction of citrus rinds, resulting in a safe, effective, food-grade solvent.
  • Pine Solvent: Pine Solvent is a natural, plant-based thinner derived from pine tree terpenes, serving as an eco-friendly alternative to harsh mineral spirits for thinning tung oils, dissolving waxy buildup, and cleaning tools with a pleasant pine aroma.

Want more details? View our Safety Data Sheets (SDS) here.

Hints & Tips

  • Do not apply or leave fresh tung oil on a surface in direct sunlight. This will flash cure it on the surface and will turn white.
  • Do not sand between coats of tung oil. This is an application technique for tung oil varnishes, not 100% tung oil.
  • Do not use tung oil over oil-based sealers, stains, and finishes.
  • We recommend using a water-based stain to change the color of wood before tung oil is applied if a color other than that provided the tung oil is desired. For a darker, all-natural, tung oil finish check out our Dark Tung Oil and Dark Half products.
  • Do not use the “green” thinners now being sold. They contain water and will not mix with the oil.
  • Remember by adding petroleum mineral spirits or other thinners, the oil may become toxic with these substances mixed into it, although the finish produced is not toxic because the thinners evaporate.
  • The number of coats of oil to be applied will be determined by the intended use of the piece. One to two coats is enough for decorative work, paneling and molding. For surfaces that receive moderate to heavy use or handling need a minimum of three and on up to six coats for maximum protection.
  • Applying tung oil until the surface becomes fully saturated will give the best results. This will be evident as the surface will not absorb more oil.
  • Renewal and/or maintenance coats are thinly applied with lint-free cloths (old bed sheets work well) or old t-shirt material on an as need be basis. A two parts solvent to one part tung oil mixture is recommended for maintenance coats.
  • Do not get hung up on the number of coats, let the wood tell you when it has reached its maximum saturation.
  • Tung Oil will be in the wood up to the surface not on the wood like varnish or polyurethane topcoat. The end result is more like seasoning a cast iron pan. This product will give you a surface that will stand up to vigorous use and spills: water will bead on the surface.
  • After the tung oil has completely cured (30 days) cleaning of the surface can be done using hot water and mild soap, such as dish soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or acids for cleaning.

Half & Half Oil Wood Samples

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We’ve rebranded!

We’re thrilled to share that Real Milk Paint Co. is now RMP Finishes — but don’t worry, it’s still us. We’re the same people, with the same passion for clean, premium products you know and trust. If you want to learn more about why we rebranded, click here to read our story.

Citrus vs Pine

As citrus peel oil has become more expensive, we wanted to give you a more practical alternative without sacrificing quality. That’s why we’ve introduced a version of our finish mixed with Pine Oil—it’s sustainably sourced, more readily available, and just as effective. The only difference is their source and smell.

We know how important it is to have natural, food contact-safe options you can trust, and this change ensures we can continue providing a high-quality finish at a more accessible price. Whether you stick with Citrus Solvent or try Pine Oil as your mix, you’re still getting the same reliable performance for your projects.

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