Is the color effect the same on all types of wood?
No. How a color oil looks depends largely on the wood's natural base tone and the sanding. The same color shade may look different on oak than on light pine or spruce. The coarser the sanding, the more intense the color effect can be. Therefore, test the color shade beforehand on the original wood with the intended sanding.
Why don't you offer a color fan for HS Professional Oil COLOUR?
A color fan shows how a color shade looks on the wood used for the fan - it may look different on your wood. The wood species, natural color, and sanding all influence the result. That is why we offer samplers: This allows you to test the color shade directly on your wood with the intended sanding.
Which color shade creates the lightest possible wood look?
Light Ivory comes closest among the HS Professional Oil COLOUR shades to a light look with minimal enhancement. For a more pronounced raw wood effect, OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil CLASSIC or hardwax oil Cotton White are suitable. Test the color effect beforehand on the original wood.
Does pigmented oil protect against darkening?
The pigments can slow down light-induced color changes in the wood. They do not completely prevent natural darkening.
Can I mix different color shades?
Yes. The HS Professional Oil COLOUR shades can be mixed with one another. The color effect can be softened by mixing with the pigment-free HS Professional Oil NATUR from the same product range. Mix enough material for the entire surface and test the result beforehand on the original wood.
Can I use HS Professional Oil COLOUR on lacquered or previously oiled wood?
Film-forming old coatings must be completely removed so that the oil can penetrate the wood. Check previously oiled surfaces for compatibility and sufficient absorbency. If necessary, sand down to the raw wood.
How do I prepare the wood?
The surface must be dry, clean, evenly sanded, and thoroughly dust-free. For furniture, OLI NATURA® recommends final sanding up to a maximum of P180, and P120 for stairs and floors. Pigments can clearly highlight sanding imperfections.
Do I need to stir the oil before and during application?
Yes. Pigments can settle. Stir or shake the oil thoroughly before use and stir it again during prolonged application. Mix the contents of containers from different batches beforehand to avoid color differences.
Is one coat of HS Professional Oil COLOUR sufficient?
Yes. When applied correctly, one coat is sufficient for initial treatment. It is crucial to saturate the wood evenly and polish out all excess oil completely. If necessary, the surface can be repolished the following day with a small amount of oil and a white pad.
How do I remove excess oil without removing the color again?
Work the oil evenly into the wood. Then polish away the excess with a white pad until the surface looks even and feels dry to the touch. Remove larger amounts of oil beforehand.
What should I do if I have applied significantly too much oil and it is still wet?
If there is a lot of oil on the surface after the absorption time, remove the excess firmly with a foam rubber squeegee before polishing. Then polish with a white pad until no excess oil is visible and the surface feels dry to the touch.
How do I remove excess oil that has already dried?
Carefully treat the excess oil with a green, mildly abrasive pad and thoroughly remove the loosened residue. If the oil has already fully cured, sanding may be necessary. Then check the color effect. If further treatment is needed, apply a thin coat of HS Professional Oil COLOUR in the original color and polish it out completely. Test the procedure beforehand in an inconspicuous area.
What do I need to consider with oil-soaked cloths and pads?
They can self-ignite due to heat buildup. After use, soak them completely in water and then leave them spread out to dry outdoors. Avoid heat buildup.
Can I use HS Professional Oil with hardener?
Yes. Mix 10 parts oil with 1 part OLI NATURA® Hardener thoroughly and use immediately. The hardener accelerates curing and increases resistance; for COLOUR, it also improves pigment bonding. The pot life for colored variants is approximately 2 hours.
When can I walk on an oiled floor again?
Without hardener, the surface can be walked on carefully after about 24 hours and will be fully cured after about 5–7 days. With hardener, it cures faster. Protect the surface from water and heavy use until it has fully cured.
When may I clean the surface with a damp cloth?
Only after it has fully cured. Then, if necessary, you can clean the surface with OLI NATURA® wood soap using a damp, not wet, cloth.
Why does the oiled surface look blotchy or streaky?
Possible causes include uneven sanding, differences in the wood's absorption behavior, pigments that have not been stirred sufficiently, or excess oil left on the surface. Ensure even sanding, stir the oil thoroughly, and polish the surface carefully.
Can I subsequently even out a blotchy oiled surface?
As long as excess oil is still present on the surface, careful polishing may help. Once the oil has cured, the correction depends on the cause. If the color has penetrated the wood unevenly, it may be necessary to sand the surface evenly again. First test the procedure in an inconspicuous area.
How do I care for a color-oiled surface?
OLI NATURA® Holzseife is suitable for regular cleaning. OLI NATURA® Holz-Refresher can be used to refresh the surface without affecting its color. If the color also needs refreshing, use the color originally applied.
When should the surface be refreshed?
When the protective effect starts to diminish, rather than according to a fixed schedule. Clean the surface first and allow it to dry completely. Then choose whether you only want to maintain the oil protection or also replenish the color.
Can I refresh a color-oiled surface with the same color?
Yes. Clean the surface and allow it to dry completely. Use the color originally applied from HS Profiöl COLOUR. For a thinner, pigmented maintenance oil, you can mix two parts OLI NATURA® Ölverdünner with one part colored HS Profiöl. Apply the mixture thinly and remove all excess. Test the color effect beforehand in an inconspicuous area.
Can I re-oil only worn areas with color?
Yes, localized touch-ups are possible. Clean the area and use the color originally applied. If the area has been sanded, the freshly sanded wood may absorb more pigment and initially look different from the surrounding area. Test the touch-up beforehand. If a noticeable color difference remains visible, it may be necessary to treat the entire continuous area.
Do I need to sand before re-oiling?
Not necessarily. When refreshing an intact, oiled surface, thorough cleaning should come first. Sanding may be necessary in the case of damage, stains, or bothersome residue from care products. The condition of the surface is decisive.
Can I apply a different, darker color to a color-oiled surface?
This is only possible to a limited extent. Previously oiled wood absorbs less oil and pigment. The new color combines with the existing color and may turn out uneven. Test the result on the existing surface. For a targeted, even color change, sand down to the bare wood and re-oil.
Can I lighten a dark-oiled surface with a lighter color oil?
Generally not by simply applying more oil. The dark color will remain visible; light pigments may appear blotchy. To achieve a lighter color, the existing treatment must be sanded down to the bare wood. Then create a test area.
