Osmo Interior Collection

Osmo Interior Products

Need guidance? View our handy FAQs and Buying Guide

Osmo Interior Products Buying Guide

About Osmo: Founded in Germany in 1878, Osmo has been dedicated to enhancing wood as a natural construction material for 140 years. Its unique finishing system provides a perfect optic that is easy to maintain, has great chemical resistance and is extremely durable. Osmo is committed to sustainability by creating high quality, environmentally friendly products, using purified and refined natural sources, and meeting the highest regulations and standards.

Osmo Interior Products FAQs

Why choose Osmo Interior Oils?

Traditional wood oils protect the wood from within, while varnishes form a thick film on the surface to protect it from the outside. Thanks to its formulation of purified and refined natural oils and hard waxes, Osmo Oils protect the wood from inside and outside with no film. Its protective micro-porous surface is flexible, making it resistant to flaking, peeling, and blistering. Osmo products are also easy to maintain, with no sanding required before renovation - and it can be spot repaied too.

Which Osmo Oil do I need?

There's an Osmo Oil for all your wood protection needs:

Floors, furniture, and joinery: Osmo Polyx Oil is available in clear (matt, satin, and gloss finish) and a variety of tints (satin finish). There is also a specialist Osmo Door Oil suitable for all internal doors.

Kitchen worktops: Osmo Top Oil is a liquid repellent, food safe oil that protects solid wood worktops.

How should I apply Osmo Oil?

Before you start, ensure the surface is clean and dry and free of any old paints or lacquers. There are three main methods of application:

Brush application: Using a firm brush, apply thinly and evenly along the wood grain and spread well (1-2 coats). Remove any excess with a dry cloth.

Roller application: Using a microfibre roller, apply thinly and evenly along the wood grain and remove any surplus or excess with a dry cloth. Usually 1-2 coats is sufficient.

Cloth application: Apply thinly, thoroughly, and evenly along the wood grain with a dry, lint-free cloth. Usually 3-4 thin coats are required.

Beware, you must immediately wash any used cloths or store in an air tight container, as there is a risk of self-ignition.

A trial application on a small area is always recommended.

How long does it take to dry?

This depends on the specific product, but generally clear oils take 8-10 hours to dry, while tinted oils take 24 hours.

Osmo's Polyx-Oil Rapid dries in 4-5 hours, while the Express can take 1-2 hours (if used with the Polyx-Oil Hardener).

All Osmo products take 2-3 weeks to fully cure (during which time they should be kept as dry as possible).

How many coats should I apply?

When using a brush, a maximum of two coats. The oils are designed to absorb into the wood, so a third coat would not absorb.

When using a cloth, the application layers are much thinner, so three or four coats are recommended.

How do I remove Osmo Oil from wood?

Thoroughy cover the wood with a powerful paint stripper and leave it to work. Scrap off and then wash with hot soapy water before leaving to dry.

Can you paint over Osmo Oil?

This is not recommended, as the moisture repellent surface will make coverage difficult and lead to peeling. Instead, strip the oil first, wash the wood, and leave to thoroughly dry before attempting to paint.

How do I clean my brushes?

We recommend Osmo Oil Brush Cleaner and Thinner to remove the oil from brushed - soak in the cleaner for 1-2 hours and then wash in warm soapy water before leaving to dry.

How do I get Osmo Oil off my hands?

Simply washing your hands in warm soapy water should remove any traces of oil. For stubborn staining, try rubbing dry hands with vegeable oil and massaging into affected areas before washing with warm water and soap.

HELP! Why is my Osmo Oil taking so long to dry?

If it's taking longer than a day or two to dry, the chances are you've applied the oil too thickly. All Osmo Oil needs to be applied very thinly. The first coat should soak into the wood completely. You can then apply additional coats to build up surface protection.

Fix it: using a lint-free cloth with white spirit to wipe away the tacky excess. Warmth and ventilation will also speed up drying time, so increase these if possible.

HELP! My Osmo Oil has gone milky!

This could be down to over-application. All Osmo's oils are designed to be applied very thinly and built up using a number of coats rather than a thick application.

Fix it: Use a cloth with white spirit to remove excess oil.

HELP! I've used a clear Osmo Oil for my project but I now want to add colour. Can I use a tinted oil on top?

Absolutely! One of the many advantages of Osmo Oil is that it's buildable. As long as each layer is thinly applied and you allow it to dry between coats, you can add up to four or five! Bear in mind that more coats equals longer curing time.

HELP! I'm still having problems - what should I do?

At Restorate, we’re more than happy to offer advice and recommendations. Our MD, Sam, has a lifelong passion for woodworking and decorating and is always available to offer his expertise. Call us on 01285 831668 - we’re here to help!