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Is it time for a change? Should your rooms be just as colourful as your life is? Then get started. All you need is a can of OSMO Wood Wax Finish in the colour of your choice and a brush.

Turn boring old wooden furniture into a one-of-a-kind individual piece. No need to be a wood technician or have any experience in renovating. Osmo Wood Wax Finish was made specifically with you in mind – experiment-loving people who want to effortlessly bring colour into their lives. Whether it is furniture, doors, or picture frames: anything made of wood can be coated with it!

The wood finish does not need a primer and it does not have to be thinned or mixed with other components before finishing. It will not dry too fast or too slow, so you do not have to fear blotting or sticky surfaces. Plus, it can be applied with a brush, roller, or a lint-free cloth without any difficulties.

The only prerequisite: the furniture piece must be thoroughly cleaned. It is best to remove all handles and knobs before finishing. Raw wood furniture can be coated directly with Wood Wax Finish. This also applies for wood that has been coated with another wood finish from Osmo. Only water-based lacquers or any other unknown types of finish must be sanded off prior to the application. We also recommend the pores be cleansed with Osmo Brush Cleaner and Thinners after sanding to remove any unsee residue.

Osmo Wood Wax Finish is available in 10 intense and 15 transparent colours, and by the way: Osmo Wood Wax Finish is safe for the whole family when dry. It can even be used on children’s toys.

THE BASIS:

NATURAL OILS AND WAXES

Natural oils and waxes are the most important ingredients in Polyx®-Oil. Sunflower oil, soybean oil and thistle oil act as binding components and penetrate deep into the wood. Carnauba and candelilla waxes protect the wood from outside and ease care and maintenance. To improve wax pliability, we have added high quality paraffin.

FOR BRUSHABILITY: SOLVENTS

Solvents are necessary to facilitate applications with a brush. In our products, we use benzene-free dearomatized white spirit. This type of white spirit is free of harmful aromatic compounds and are almost odourless.

When the finish dries, the white spirit evaporates. We forego the use of any allergy-causing “natural solvents”, such as orange oils or turpentine oil, because turpentine oil is known to be a main cause of dermatitis.

A DAB OF COLOUR: EARTHS

For the subtle colouring effect of Polyx®-Oils, we use clay rock and earths of mineral origin. All earths are freed of any possible traces of heavy metals and are therefore, completely safe.

AS FEW ADDITIVES AS POSSIBLE

To improve technical properties, small amounts of additives are put into a product. Osmo is extremely conservative with additives. In Polyx®-Oil, you will not find any preservatives, aromatic compounds, or biocides. A minimal amount of additives is required to ensure that Polyx®-Oil dries evenly, does not form a film and repels water. We do not use any additives classified as toxic in any Osmo product.

“Get a van – hit the road.” These were the words of Vincent Mats as he said goodbye to his school life after completing school. The dream became reality faster than expected. For nine months he drove a VW T4 as a wheelchair transporter as part of his job and when the van was put up for sale, Vincent had his name all over that van!”

Since then, Vincent has travelled 136,000 km in more than 20 countries with his van. Over the years, he has continued to add details to the once austere van. “Without so much as a garage, most of the conversion took place out on the pavements of Hamburg. Which led to a lot of great contacts and even some friendships,” he laughs. A three-month work experience at a joiner’s workshop gave Vincent the decisive impulse for more attention to detail in the interior design.

For two months, Vincent and his girlfriend were on the road in Portugal and Morocco last summer. The van mastered flooded slopes in the Atlas Mountains of Africa as well as sandstorms in the Sahara. And even the flooring in the van had a lot to contend with: leaking water canisters, knocked over glasses, sandy shoes. “It all went really well,” evaluates Vincent. For the interior, he used bamboo panels treated with Osmo Polyx®-Oil Original 3065 Clear semi-matt.

In 2017 Vincent and his girlfriend completely dismantled the van. For the floor and the worktops of the kitchenette, they used 15-mm-thick three-layer panels made of bamboo, and for the roof lining, a modified bamboo mat.

Bamboo is flexible in shape and form, and is highly impact and scratch-resistant; plus in comparison with wood, it is more resistant to wear and moisture – a clear advantage on the road. Due to the higher density of bamboo, it is important to apply an especially thin coat.

Vincent values natural and safe materials, and at the same time, he also wanted a durable surface fit for travel. Wood technicians at Osmo suggested to him that he should use Polyx®-Oil Original to protect the bamboo panels. “Through the coating, the bamboo developed a surface that is pleasant to touch,” he explains. “And it protected the panel really well against damage on our long journeys.”

Oily timbers such as Spotted Gum, can be problematic, the excess oils and resin can prevent a hard-wax oil finish such as Osmo from penetrating, resulting in drying issues. We generally recommend employing a professional flooring contractor when working with such timer. However, with the right product, such as Osmo’s Woodwax Clear Extra Thin 1101, there should be no major issues for the competent DIY person who prefers to finish the floor themselves, provided the general advice below is followed.

Firstly, do not over sand the timber. The recommended grit to finish is 80-100, using a single disc slow RPM Polivac or similar, we do not recommend multi-head attachments with our oils. Any finer sanding will close the timber’s grain and prevent the oil from penetrating, resulting in drying issues. It is important to remember that sanding is critical.

Use a solvent such as turps or Osmo’s Brush Cleaner and Thinner to degrease the surface before the application of any oil. This will raise the grain slightly, enabling better penetration of the oil. Once the solvent has dried, apply two very thin coats of Osmo Woodwax Clear Extra Thin 1101 24 hours apart. Wipe off any excess after 30 minutes with both coats. Drying time may vary slightly, do not apply the second coat until the first coat has completely dried.

Osmo Woodwax Clear Extra Thin contains less wax when compared to Osmo’s Polyx Oil, which is usually the go to product for a clear interior finish. The reduced amount of wax accounts for the oiliness of the timber limiting product build up, but still providing a desirable look and necessary protection.

Do not sand between coats. If you wish to de-nib the surface, the finish must be completely dry. Use a slow speed buffing machine with a pad in a light pass over. Do not use a heavy, fast machine such as a Polivac as this can pull the oil out of the timber before it has fully cured.

Application of more than 2 coats is not recommended. Osmo products need to be applied as thin as possible. Like over-sanding, over application of oil will result in the surface remaining sticky and susceptible to scratching and watermarks.

Application is best done with Osmo Floor Brush with Osmo Telescopic Handle (sold separately), this allows for the oil to be spread as far and thinly as possible avoiding over application.

Osmo products dry by oxidation or air movement. It will take longer for the finish to dry if doors and windows are closed. We recommend, whenever possible, having windows open during the day to allow air to move around. A small fan on low speed may assist drying. Do not use air conditioning or heat pumps for air movement. 

Finally, allow 1-3 days for floor to dry completely. Keep off the floor during this time as much as possible. Some parts of the floor may dry faster. This relates to the oil and resin content of the timber. It will take 21 days for the finish to fully cure, treat the floor with respect during the curing process. Do not place rugs or mats on the finished surface during this time. If furniture must be placed on the surface, lift into position and place felt or a similar product under the contact points. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor.

Osmo provides solutions for all types of timber. Oily timber can be easily dealt with through some simple guidance and the right product and Osmo Woodwax Clear Extra Thin is the perfect product.