Treat wood with lacquer or oil? - Differences at a glance

OLI NATURA® boiled linseed oil for wood: traditional wood finishing from our Heritage Collection “New Old School” - a nearly forgotten classic, reimagined. In the past, boiled linseed oil was a standard coating for wooden surfaces and structural elements - both indoors and outdoors. In 2015, we revived the traditional formulation, refined it carefully, and had it tested for food contact. Today, »OLI NATURA boiled linseed oil« stands for one of the most traditional ways to protect wood naturally. It penetrates deeply, cures in the wood, and forms a durable, water- and dirt-repellent coating. The surface remains breathable, does not crack or flake off, and can easily be maintained and recoated when needed. Which wood surfaces is OLI NATURA® boiled linseed oil suitable for? The transparent boiled linseed oil is suitable for the natural initial treatment of absorbent wood surfaces indoors and outdoors. It protects cutting boards, end grain, kitchen wood, turned objects, bowls, and knife handles, as well as wooden toys, birdhouses and bee houses, windows, and doors. The boiled linseed oil is solvent-free, suitable for children's toys, and LFGB-tested and suitable for wood surfaces that come into contact with food. How does OLI NATURA® boiled linseed oil affect wood? OLI NATURA boiled linseed oil is transparent and unpigmented, but it enhances the wood: the color and grain gain visibly greater depth, making the wood look more vibrant, warmer, and richer. Particularly light-colored wood species develop a natural honey tone. Since the color effect depends on the wood species and base tone, we recommend applying a test coat in an inconspicuous area beforehand. How is OLI NATURA® boiled linseed oil used? Apply the boiled linseed oil thinly and evenly with a cotton cloth or brush. After the penetration time, carefully remove excess oil and repeat the application after sufficient drying. Two to three coats are usually sufficient. What makes the traditional formulation special? Our purity promise for boiled linseed oil: pure, cold-pressed linseed oil, gently cooked and containing only as much drying agent as necessary. It accelerates and evens out the curing process. We deliberately avoid additional additives and solvents.  

OLI NATURA® hardwax oil for almost all indoor wood surfaces Oil impregnates. Wax protects. OLI NATURA® hardwax oil is the ECARF-certified oil-wax combination for almost any indoor wood project. The oil impregnates the wood from within, while the wax additionally protects the surface with a fine protective film. Which types of wood and applications is OLI NATURA® hardwax oil suitable for?  OLI NATURA® hardwax oil is the right choice if you are looking for a classic hardwax oil that can be used for almost any indoor wood project - instead of having a different wood oil in the cupboard for every application. Whether furniture, dining table, kitchen countertop, stairs, door, wall paneling or windowsill - the oil-wax combination is suitable for almost all types of wood and wood-based materials, including maple, beech, oak, ash, spruce and pine, as well as cork, bamboo, OSB, plywood and multiplex. The hardwax oil is particularly suitable when light woods should only be subtly enhanced and you want an easy-to-apply, open-pore and easy-to-repair surface. Would you like a transparent colored look? Then choose OLI NATURA® COLOUR hardwax oil - also available in Cotton White for the popular Scandinavian look. Do you prefer the more pronounced enhancement of the wood provided by a classic impregnating oil? Then OLI NATURA® Project Oil is the right choice. What does wood look like after applying OLI NATURA® hardwax oil? The natural wood appearance is retained. The grain and structure are subtly emphasized, while the surface remains open-pore and tactile. The subtle enhancement of the wood brings out particularly light types of wood harmoniously. The result is a satin-matte finish. For an even more matte appearance, the surface can be polished with a white oil pad during the wet phase. How easy is OLI NATURA® hardwax oil to apply? The oil-wax combination can be applied easily and evenly. One coat is usually sufficient for furniture. A second coat is recommended for stairs and heavily used countertops - without intermediate sanding. Hardwax oil is not lacquer. Apply a thin coat - that is sufficient. The surface is hard-wearing, dirt- and water-repellent, and easy to maintain. Scratches and signs of use can be repaired locally or simply refreshed at any time - without sanding. The oil does not crack, peel or flake. What can you rely on with OLI NATURA® hardwax oil? Once fully cured, the surface is safe for people, animals and plants. Tested for everyday use: ECARF-certified (allergy-friendly), tested for food contact (LFGB), suitable for children's toys and approved by building authorities.

RAW WOOD LOOK. ALMOST LIKE UNTREATED. Inspired by Scandinavian interior design, OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE preserves the natural appearance of light-colored wood. The typical intensification of the wood tone is reduced, the natural color remains largely unchanged, and the surface looks almost freshly sanded. Its high light stability helps slow darkening and yellowing while providing reliable everyday protection. Even on deeply brushed and textured oak, pigment accumulation in the pores remains almost invisible. This creates a calm, natural raw wood look without a limed effect. When is OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE the right choice? When you want to protect light-colored wooden furniture or stairs while preserving their freshly sanded character as much as possible. Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE is particularly suitable for modern raw wood surfaces where a classic oil would intensify the wood tone too strongly. For wooden floors, use OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil CLASSIC. What is OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE suitable for? The raw wood effect oil is suitable for protecting solid wood surfaces in residential interiors - from furniture and tabletops to stair treads, wall panels, and moldings. It is particularly suitable for untreated light-colored softwoods and hardwoods such as oak, ash, spruce, or fir. For more heavily used surfaces, 2K application with OLI NATURA® H2O-Hardener is recommended. What does wood look like after applying OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE? The wood's natural color remains largely unchanged. The pores are not highlighted in white - creating a naturally raw surface without a limed effect that looks and feels like freshly sanded wood. Optional additional work steps can be used to adjust the surface appearance precisely. The impregnation can be refreshed repeatedly by re-oiling with OLI NATURA® Refresher. Testing on a sample area of the original wood is recommended. 20-ml samplers are available for this purpose. How easy is OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE to apply? The raw wood effect oil is applied to bare wood in two coats - by brush, roller, or spray application. Since the water content can raise the wood fibers, light intermediate sanding after the first coat is recommended. Polishing the still-wet second coat with a pad makes the surface more matte and helps prevent layer formation and streaks. OLI NATURA® Refresher can be used for initial care or an optional third coat. When is 2K application recommended? For more heavily used surfaces, Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE is applied with OLI NATURA® H2O-Hardener in a 10:1 ratio. The additional cross-linking increases resistance to water, grease, and typical household stresses. 2K application should generally be used for tabletops and surfaces where grease splashes are expected. What other features does OLI NATURA® Scandic-Oil FOR FURNITURE offer? VOC-free, low-odor, and tested for interior use. The raw wood effect oil contains no volatile organic solvents, complies with DIN EN 71-3, is resistant to saliva and perspiration in accordance with DIN 53160, is approved by DIBt, and is declared by baubook. Oil-soaked pads and cloths are not prone to spontaneous combustion.

May we introduce: NORDIC B - the ultra-matte premium colored lacquer in 15 trendy shades. Based on water-based bio-acrylates, it is perfect for furniture, doors, kitchen fronts, stair coverings, or trim - and even for children's furniture. Upcycling made easy: Give old furniture or IKEA classics a new, modern look with NORDIC B. Chalk effect meets lacquer durability: The finish looks like chalk paint, but is a more durable lacquer. Primer and topcoat lacquer in one saves time and money. Ultra-matte & highly opaque: Just two coats are enough for full coverage. The ultra-matte soft-touch finish has a powdery, velvety look, feels pleasant to the touch, and features a practical anti-fingerprint effect - perfect for kitchens, furniture & more. Sustainable & safe: Made with biogenic raw materials from plant oils, mineral color pigments, and a water-based formula. 👉 Pro tip: For extra durability, combine with OLI-AQUA Hardener 13.2.