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Guide To Osmo Wood Finish

Guide To Osmo Wood Finish

We love Osmo wood finish products and use them across our product lines. So here's our guide to Osmo products, including what to use them for and application tips.

Why choose Osmo Wood Finish?

Osmo products combine plant-based oils and waxes together so you get the sealing and conditioning benefits of both. They do not contain traditional urethane-based finishing ingredients, but take a different approach. Osmo products create a molecular bond with the wood, effectively repelling moisture without completely covering up the natural texture of real wood. Here are some other reasons why we love Osmo:

  • Safety: Osmo products adhere to strict EU safety standards. They’re made of non-toxic, plant-based oils and waxes that are rapidly renewable. They even have food-safe formulations available. If you’re looking for a cleaner alternative to traditional wood finishing products, Osmo is the way to go.
  • Beauty: Combining a wax and an oil in one product allows for a unique satin finish. One of the downsides of urethane based finishes is that they disguise the natural texture of real wood. But Osmo allows the grain pattern and color to truly shine, with a soft sheen that looks natural and healthy. At RealCraft, we love to honor the uniqueness and variety inherent in real wood. To us, there’s nothing more beautiful than wood with a clear satin finish on it, and Osmo is our preferred product for that natural final look.
  • Easy maintenance: Traditional wood finishes will start to flake or peel over time. Once this happens, the only way to re-apply is to sand down the entire door, removing the old finish, and completely start over. With Osmo wood finishes, all you need to do to touch up the finish is to apply more Osmo—no sanding is needed! This means maintaining your door is a lot simpler.

How to apply Osmo oil finish

In general, suitable finish applications depend on the product type—some Osmo finishes should not be sprayed and are best applied with a brush or roller. Always follow the directions on the product packaging. A crucial part of applying Osmo finishing oil wax finishes is to allow each coat to dry for at least 12 hours in a well-ventilated area. If possible, we recommend applying finish outdoors if you can, though this obviously won’t be possible for flooring. But allowing coats to fully dry will result in a better seal and a better end result.

A craftswoman applies a coat of oil stain to a door with a roller.

How to reapply Osmo finish oil

When it comes time to reapply your Osmo finish product, you’ll need to clean off the wood surface and ensure there is no surface dirt. But you don’t have to sand down the wood, which seriously saves time! Apply another coat of Osmo per the instructions on the can and allow to dry completely. We recommend re-applying Osmo to your door or countertop once annually. While we tend not to think of doors as items that need maintenance, regular touch ups are key to keeping your door looking beautiful and resistant to the elements.