While HS Professional Oil stands out with full High-Solid performance and efficiency - plus the option of adding hardener - Project Oil impresses with its self-penetration and easy application. Which wood finish is better suited to your woodworking projects? Find out more in this detailed blog post!
- HS Professional Oil: 100% solids content - solvent-free (High-Solid).
- Project Oil: 60% solids content - solvent-based (Medium-Solid).
But what does this mean in practice?
WHAT IS THE SOLIDS CONTENT?
The solids content describes how much oil remains in the wood and hardens after drying.
For HS Professional Oil, this means: 100% of the oil remains 100% in the wood - nothing evaporates. This means that one application is usually enough to saturate and protect the wood.
Project Oil contains a proportion of medical-grade isoparaffin (petroleum ether). This acts as a “transport aid” that draws the oil deep into the wood pores and makes application easier. After the solvent has evaporated, the oil settles into the pores. A second application ensures optimal pore filling and maximum protection.
Processing Differences & Areas of Application
The application of the two oils is tailored to their respective strengths:
HS Professional Oil
With a 100% solids content, HS Professional Oil is ideal for flat, heavily used surfaces such as worktops, doors, stairs, or wooden floors. It is even used on roller-coating lines in the parquet industry, where packaging without blocking immediately after application is required. The oil is applied with a brush, roller, or spreader and then worked deeply into the wood by hand or machine using a beige polishing pad. After an exposure time of 30–60 minutes, the excess is polished off with a white polishing pad, and the surface is already fully impregnated after just one application. For heavily used surfaces, HS Hardener (10:1) can optionally be added.
Project Oil
Project Oil impresses with its versatility and easy application, making it ideal for series applications, smaller projects, or pieces of wood with complex geometries. It is applied with cotton pads, a brush, or roller, penetrates the wood on its own, and the excess can be easily removed with a cloth or polishing pad. With a 60% solids content, one coat is sufficient for normally used furniture such as shelves. For more heavily used surfaces, such as stairs or tabletops, a second coat after drying overnight is recommended to fill the pores and perfect the protection.
Matte finish with intensive color enhancement
Both oils enhance the color and wood grain and provide a matte finish. On dark woods such as oak or walnut, they create a warm tone, while on light woods such as spruce, a yellowish cast may appear, which not everyone likes. Special oils that minimize the yellowish cast are recommended in such cases. Therefore, a test application on an inconspicuous area is advisable.
Expert tip: Choose according to the project
When choosing between the solvent-free HS Professional Oil and the solvent-based Project Oil various factors play a role: area of application, coverage, application preferences, and cost.
- Project Oil: Project Oil is ideal particularly for series manufacturers who produce tables, for example, and use cotton pads for surface treatment. It impresses with its high self-penetration and easy application, especially on smaller objects or pieces of wood with complex geometries. Thanks to its solvent content, it is particularly easy to apply and is suitable for projects where ease of handling plays a central role.
- HS Professional Oil: Professionals in the premium segment, such as furniture manufacturers and flooring installers, prefer to use HS Professional Oil. With its 100% solids content and the option of applying it with hardener (mixing ratio 10:1), it meets the highest standards of durability, longevity, and efficiency. Thanks to its solvent-free technology, a single application is often sufficient, saving time and making it a particularly sustainable option.
Ultimately, it comes down to your project's requirements: Do you appreciate the simplicity and flexibility of Project Oil thanks to its solvent content? Or do you prefer the efficiency and time savings of applying HS Professional Oil only once, even though its application technology is somewhat more demanding?
Both oils deliver impressive results - the deciding factor is which "brother" better suits your project. If you are unsure, try the oils on a sample board to find out which one better meets your needs. This way, you are guaranteed to find the perfect solution for your next woodworking project!
Test it yourself!
Are you unsure which oil is right for your project? No problem - we are happy to advise you! Simply write to us at faq@oli-lacke.de or call us: +49 (0) 37208/84-488. Would you rather test it yourself? Try our HS Professional Oil and Project Oil on a sample board and find your perfect finish. Order now from our B2C Shop for private customers! Business customer? Register in our B2B Shop and secure exclusive business benefits.
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