Oil on Wood, Part III

Natural oil that bonds gets thumbs up

 The oil hardwood flooring finish we are testing in this blog works differently than those we’ve already shown you.

It does not soak into the wood like the others. Instead, it forms a molecular bond with the first microns of the wood surface. It is spot-repairable like the others, but that works differently, too. Only the scratch or abraded area will bond with the oil when it is spread over the damaged area.

“After 10 minutes, you just wipe away the excess, and you are done,” says Roy Young, quality control manager at Schumacher & Co. Custom Hardwood Floors in Milford, OH. In just a few weeks, the company will be launching its Natural Interiors® Floor Finishing Program.

Why could this be seen as an advantage over oils that soak into the wood?

Clear oil (top) compared to one of more than 30 colors

“It eliminates variable saturation,” Young says.

Okay, but it also means the finished surface won’t take a second coat. So what do you do when you want it to look new again?

“Areas that get worn will take the coat and bond with the oil, so, overtime, you just recoat them,” he says.

This is a plant-based oil that contains low amounts of modified or purified solvents,  but it is zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). Another big plus: It comes in more than 30 colors, which eliminates the need to stain or dye the floor, assuming you like one of the colors.

“Obviously, we’ll offer other colors – with dyes or stains – and other oils,” Young notes.

But this oil saves a lot of steps. It doesn’t need sealing, it doesn’t need staining and it will not have to be sanded for normal maintenance ever again.

Add it to the lineup.©

   Also see Oil on Wood, Part I and Oil on Wood, Part II and look for a complete description of Schumacher & Co.’s Natural Interiors® Floor Finishing Program soon.

– Nancy Kibbee is editor at www.naturalinteriors.com.