Osmo Oil

Why choose Osmo Oil?

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 a formulation of purified and refined natural oils and hard waxes, Osmo Oils protect the wood from inside and outside with no film. The 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:

Interior 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.

Exterior cladding, doors, or vertical structures: Osmo UV Protection Oil offers optimal protection from sun damage, water ingress, mould growth, and fungal attack - but it is only suitable for vertical surfaces.

Exterior window frames and furniture: Unlike the UV Protection Oil, Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain is suitable for use on horizontal surfaces - so we recommend it for exterior frames and furniture.

Decking: Osmo Decking Oil offers protection for wood in high traffic areas.Try Anti-Slip Decking Oil if safety is paramount.

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 is possible.

If your exterior wood is taking a long time to dry, this could be down to damp or cold conditions - in which case the only fix is to wait a bit longer for the oil to dry.

HELP! My Osmo UV Protection Oil is peeling after only a year

It's a common misconception that Osmo UV Protection Oil can be used on decking and other horizontal areas. It's not recommended for horizontal surfaces because water is more easily absorbed and cause the bond between oil and wood to fail.

Fix it: by sanding back to the original wood (no quick fixes I'm afraid!) and then applying a product suitable for horizontal surfaces such as Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain or Osmo Decking Oil.

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.

Or it could be down to using a pale tint on a dark wood or using an unsuitable oil on a dense hard wood.

Fix it: Be sure to let new exterior dark woods weather for at least 8 weeks before applying. And use an oil suitable for hard wood, such as the Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain 708 Teak. Or for tropical very hard woods such as Iroko, try Osmo Wood Wax Finish Extra Thin 1101, which is thin enough to penetrate the very dense grain (other Osmo Oils won't be able to do this).

HELP! Why has the wood I treated with Osmo Oil gone mouldy?

Osmo Oil prevents water ingress, but it can only do this where it has been allowed to penetrate the wood. So, if the wood was not sanded correctly at preparation stage, or if the end grain has been let untreated, the oil will not be serving as a barrier to water.

Fix it: Sand the affected area and then use Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel before washing and allowing to dry thoroughly. Then refinish with 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!