Why test wood oils on original wood?
The wood sets the tone.Wood species, base tone, grain, structure, sanding, and even individual processing influence how a wood oil will look later. Therefore, color charts, product images, and screen displays can only approximate the actual color impression.
Even pigment-free oils in "Natural"change the appearance of the wood: they emphasize grain and inherent color and can deepen the natural shade. Experts refer to this as wet effector permanent wet effect. How strong this effect is depends on the type of oil and the wood species used.
For pigmented color oils, the color tone of the oil also comes into play. The pigments color the wood without obscuring its natural structural pattern. Therefore, the same color tone can look significantly different on oak than on light pine or spruce wood.
That's exactly why we recommend testing wood oils beforehand on the original wood. With an OLI NATURA® Sampler, you can assess color effect, wet effect, and surface appearance under realistic conditions.
For a meaningful result, the sample piece should be sanded, prepared, and processed as closely as possible to the later surface. This way, you are sure to find the right wood oil for your project.