Wood oils by oil category
Wood oils by oil category
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE WOOD OILS BY OIL CATEGORY
Guide to the protection, care and beauty of your wood
Wood is a natural, living material that is used in many areas of our daily lives.
Whether furniture, handles, turned objects, decking, flooring or decorative items - wood brings warmth and naturalness to our surroundings.
However, for wood to remain beautiful in the long term and be protected against environmental influences, it needs the right care. Wood oil is one of the best options for protecting and maintaining wood and preserving its natural beauty.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to know about wood oil: its benefits, areas of application, how to use it correctly and which products are best suited to your specific needs.
What is wood oil?
Wood oil is a care product to protect wood from external influences and at the same time emphasise its natural structure and colour. It often consists of vegetable oils such as linseed oil, tung oil or walnut oil, which can be enriched with other substances such as resins or solvents. The effect and degree of protection of the oil varies depending on its composition.
Pure linseed oil, for example, can also be used for application.
Wood oil penetrates deep into the pores of the wood, strengthens it from the inside out and shapes a protective surface. Unlike varnishes, which form a solid layer on the wood, wood oil remains breathable and allows the wood to continue to work.
Wood protection oil is available in both colourless and pigmented Shape, with the colourless version emphasising the natural wood colour and the pigmented version giving the wood an additional desired colour nuance.
Advantages of wood oil
The use of wood oil offers numerous advantages that make it an ideal choice for wood care:
- Protection against moisture: wood oil forms a water-repellent layer that prevents moisture from penetrating the wood. This minimises the risk of cracks, mould and rot.
- Emphasising the wood grain: Wood oil highlights the natural grain and colour of the wood, making it more visually appealing.
- Care and regeneration: Wood oil can help to regenerate the surface and make it smooth and supple again, especially on older or stressed wood.
- Breathability: Unlike varnishes, wood oil does not completely seal the wood so that it can continue to breathe.
- Environmentally friendly: Many wood oils are made from natural raw materials and are therefore an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical wood preservatives.
- Easy to Use: Wood oil is easy to apply and can be easily renewed if necessary without having to remove the old layer.
Areas of application for wood oil
Wood oil is suitable for numerous areas of application - both indoors and outdoors.
Here are some typical examples:
- Furniture care
Wooden furniture, especially solid wood furniture, benefits enormously from regular treatment with wood oil. It protects the furniture from wear and tear, emphasises the natural grain and provides a velvety feel.
- Patios and garden furniture
In outdoor areas, wooden decking and garden furniture are constantly exposed to weather influences such as sun, rain and frost. Special wood oils for exterior use offer effective protection against moisture, UV radiation and cracking.
- Wooden floors
Parquet and floorboards are heavily used surfaces that require regular maintenance. Wood oil penetrates the wood fibres and protects the floor from scratches, stains and moisture absorption.
- Wooden decks and fences
Wooden decks and fences can also be protected from the weather with wood oil. Treatment ensures that the wood lasts longer and retains its colour.
- Wooden decorations and kitchen utensils
There are special food-safe wood oils for chopping boards, salad bowls and other wooden utensils that come into contact with food. Food-safe oils, such as linseed oil or walnut oil, are especially suitable for direct contact with food and offer safe, natural care for wooden surfaces.
The correct use of wood oil
Correct Use is crucial for wood oil to be fully effective.
- Preparation
Clean the untreated and sanded wood surface thoroughly, removing dust, dirt and grease with a suitable cleaning agent.
If the wood has already been treated with oil, lightly sand the old surface with a sanding sponge or fine Grit Abrasive paper sandpaper to ensure even absorption. Ensure that the wood surface is dry before applying the wood oil.
- Applying the wood oil
Apply the wood oil evenly with a soft brush, scarves or sponge. Work in the direction of the wood grain.
Allow the oil to soak in for the specified time
- Remove excess oil
After the application time, remove excess oil with a clean, lint-free scraper. Otherwise the oil may become sticky or leave unsightly stains.
- Allow to dry
Allow the wood to dry completely. Drying time can vary from 24 hours to several days, depending on the product.
- Optional: second or third coat
For more intensive protection and a deeper colour, you can use the wood oil several times.
Types of wood oil: which one is right for you?
There are various wood oils that are suitable for different purposes.
Here is an overview:
Tung oil
High-quality, natural wood oil that forms a water-repellent, hard-wearing surface and optimally protects the wood without impairing its breathability. Perfect for heavily used wooden surfaces such as worktops, furniture, floors and for outdoor use on patios and garden furniture.
Note: Tung oil has a distinctive odour when pure and liquid, but this disappears after drying or when mixed with Orange oil or Balsamic turpentine oil. It is not recommended for interior surfaces of cabinets due to the odour.
Food-safe when dry.
Linseed oil
One of the oldest and best-known wood oils and a natural wood care product that penetrates deep into the wood fibres, protects the Material and at the same time emphasises the natural beauty and grain of the wood. Ideal for the care of untreated wooden furniture, worktops, chopping boards and other interior wooden surfaces.
Linseed oil varnishes
Ideal for mixing colours with linseed oil pastes.
Linseed oil varnish is a refined, quick-drying wood oil that is produced by heating linseed oil and offers optimum protection and a natural look. Suitable for the care and protection of wooden furniture, floors, doors, window frames, wooden toys and even outdoor surfaces such as garden furniture or fences.
Available in two versions: for indoor and outdoor use.
Pine wood oil
Pine tar is a natural, resinous product that provides effective protection against moisture, mould and insect infestation while increasing the resistance of wood. Excellent for outdoor use, especially on boats, fences, wooden cabins and other wooden structures exposed to the elements.
Hemp oil
Hemp oil is a sustainable, natural wood care oil that nourishes the wood, protects its surface and intensifies the warm, natural colour. Ideal for wooden furniture, worktops, chopping boards and other wooden objects that require food-safe and environmentally friendly care.
Poppy seed oil
Poppy seed oil is a fine, natural wood care oil that gently penetrates the wood and subtly emphasises the natural grain. Particularly suitable for handicraft objects, turned parts, toys, kitchen furniture and kitchen utensils, also for knife and tool handles due to its grip and, together with pigments, for the production of high-quality colour oils and artists' paints.
Walnut oil
Walnut oil is a high-quality, natural maintenance oil that nourishes the wood and elegantly accentuates the natural grain. Particularly suitable for wooden furniture, floors, chopping boards and other wooden surfaces that require a fine, shiny appearance as well as additional protection against moisture and degrees of wear.
Hard oil
Hard oil is a mixture of natural oils and resins that forms a resistant and durable protective layer that protects the wood from scratches, moisture and degrees of wear.
Hard wax oil
Hardwax oil combines the caring properties of oil with the resistance of wax to seal and protect wooden surfaces while leaving a hard-wearing, matt finish. Particularly suitable for wooden surfaces subject to heavy wear, such as parquet floors, table tops and worktops, which require a particularly robust and easy-care surface.
Pigmented oils
Pigmented oils combine the caring properties of wood oils with colour pigments that give the wood an attractive, even colour and at the same time provide effective protection. Ideal for treating interior and exterior wooden surfaces, such as furniture, decking or window frames, where colour accentuation and additional protection are desired.
Frequently asked questions about wood oil
How often should wood be treated with oil?
This depends on the use and the type of wood. Indoor furniture and floors should be oiled about once a year, while outdoor wood (e.g. decking or garden furniture) needs more frequent care - ideally once or twice a season (depending on the weather).
Can wood oil be used on varnished surfaces?
Garde, varnished surfaces do not allow oil to penetrate the pores of the wood. The varnish must be completely removed before oil treatment.
Is wood oil environmentally friendly?
Natural oils are environmentally friendly as they are derived from renewable resources, are biodegradable and contain no harmful chemicals, making them a sustainable alternative to synthetic wood care products.
Look out for products that contain pure vegetable oils and are labelled accordingly.
Note: Hemp oil is one of the most sustainable and gentle oil finishes available today. Our hemp oil is food-safe and completely harmless, and hemp grows almost everywhere in the world without the intensive use of pesticides or herbicides, which means it can be produced locally and in an environmentally friendly way.
Conclusion
Wood oil is an indispensable care product for anyone who wants to preserve the beauty and longevity of wood. It prevents the penetration of moisture, emphasises the natural structure and ensures an attractive surface.
Whether for furniture, floors, decking or kitchen utensils - with the right choice and use of wood oil, you can ensure that your wooden products stay in top shape for years to come.
When choosing the right wood oil, pay attention to the specific needs of your wood and invest in a high-quality product from our range.
