Oil on a new tea tray...identity?

Well, that's a toughie without smelling/feeling it. My hope would be that it is a natural oil like linseed or something similar. A way to work on the mystery would be to go to an art store (fine art supplies)... as an artist when I work in oil paint there are a number of oils (including linseed) and thinners used and this would give you a way to smell some of the options to make an olfactory match.

I'd hope it is a natural oil and not petrol based one but honestly anything from China can have just about anything in/on it. I wish it weren't that way but with a few billion folks saving lives isn't priority one.

- Dominic

Thanks Dominic, the seller says it's Tung oil, which according to Wikipedia shouldn't be a problem unless I'm possibly serving someone with a nut allergy. Good to know.

Thanks! Melinda, thinking a nice Rou Gui ought to be good on this tray right now...

Well good to know, I was hoping it to be something like linseed or tung, but I just hope there weren't any crazy solvents used in conjunction with it. Since it is just a tray it's not a huge deal (unless you partake in some Rou Gui directly off of it ;) but I'm always a bit uneasy with wood products from China (especially bamboo) I've heard and seen some horror stories, like bamboo sticks with warning labels on them I bought about their toxicity.

I'd just wipe it down real good with an old cotton t-shirt/rag to remove any excess and rub in what is there. Just be thankful it isn't naptha or something similar.

- Dominic

From my experience the oil smell will dissipate with a few days use. After about a week you shouldn't be able to smell a thing anymore unless you stick your nose up to it and sniff hard.

MarshalN

If it is tung oil and still wet enough to take a fingerprint or feel sticky you can buff it with a cloth or your fingers to help set the oil. It is a natural drying oil and will harden.