Questions and Answers

Osmo sells exclusively to specialized dealers with their own warehouse, but a small selection of products is also available at DIY stores. Direct sales to end consumers are not possible. Via the dealer search function on our website, local dealers can be found.

Yes, it is possible. Interior wood finishes from Osmo can also be used in outdoor areas. Since these are not protected against weathering and UV radiation, they may need to be recoated more often. Even some of our exterior finishes, e.g. Osmo Country Colour, can be used in indoor areas. They do not contain any biocides and are even suitable for children’s toys.

Clear finishes do not contain any colour pigments. Transparent finishes stain wood and contain a small amount of colour pigments so that the wood grain can still be seen.

The storage stability of a product is always stated in our product information sheets or on the product label. When kept dry and free of frost, our oil-based finishes can normally be stored up to approx. 5 years in the original closed container; for water-based products, the storage stability is approx. 2 years.

Product coverage can also be found in our product information sheets. It changes from product to product and depends greatly on the condition of the wood. All details on our labels refer to smooth and planed/sanded wood surfaces. Other surfaces may lead to discrepancies in product coverage.

Leftover product and empty packaging should be disposed of according to the local regulations (EU waste code 08 01 11). Only completely emptied cans can be recycled. Wash out any used cloth impregnated with this product immediately after use or store in an airtight metal container (danger of self-ignition).

That depends entirely on the product. For Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain, we recommend two coats. Osmo One Coat Only, on the other hand, only needs one coat. We recommend consulting the product descriptions on our website for details about the correct application.

No, this should not be done. If the existing finish is a lacquer, our finish cannot penetrate the wood pores and it will not adhere to the surface.

Yes, Osmo Country Colour and Natural Oil Woodstain can be produced upon request in one of 186 RAL and 1950 NCS colour tones. They are mixed to order and can be delivered throughout Germany within 5 to 7 days. The minimum order amount per colour tone is 2.5 litres. Plus, biocidal active ingredients for film protection against algae and fungal attack can be added to Osmo Country Colour for an extra surcharge.

Products can be thinned with a solvent, such as Osmo Brush Cleaner.

As soon as wood finish gets on clothing, it must be rubbed out with Osmo Brush Cleaner or a turpentine substitute. Once the finish has dried, it is no longer possible to get it out completely.

Yes, the colour tones of individual products can be mixed with each other as desired.

With Osmo Brush Cleaner or a turpentine substitute from a DIY store.

The durability of a wood finish not only depends on the product and the location of the wood, but also the amount of weathering. Renovation should therefore always be carried out in consideration of these points. By routinely observing the condition of the surface, a suitable time to renovate can be determined.

That depends entirely on the product and the type of allergy. All Osmo products are based on natural vegetable oils and waxes. We completely forego the use of any so-called “natural solvents”, such as orange oil, which can cause allergies. Please consult with your doctor.

Osmo Interior-Wax is a water-based finish. Osmo Wood Wax Finish, on the other hand, is based on oils and waxes. Plus Interior-Wax is thinner and therefore it dries faster.

It is not absolutely necessary to wear protective clothing for personal safety. However, it is useful to avoid contact to hands, eyes etc. When sanding, a dust mask should always be worn.

Please contact your local dealer.

Only one coat is needed for One Coat Only.

An impregnation is only necessary when coating raw untreated Spruce or Pine in outdoor areas. Osmo WR Base Coat protects the inside of wood. Afterwards Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain can be applies, which provides protection from the outside.

It is all about the application amount. If it is applied too thick, peeling off would occur.

Impregnation offers protection for the inside of wood. It is a clear coating that acts a preventive measure against plant and animal wood pest, such as rot, blue stain and insect attack. Film protection protects the wood surface against mould and algae attack.

The small black spots on the surface could be either a mould or fungal attack. This happens due to moisture or other environmental influences and occurs often in shady areas and near water or plants. We recommend removing the growth with Osmo Gard Clean, Wood Reviver or Intensive Cleaner. Afterwards the wood should be treated with a finish with a suitable film protection, e.g. Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain.

Yes, there is a coating for polymer composites. Polymer Composite Maintenance Oil is suitable for the clear upkeep and refreshing of weathered polymer composites, such as WPC or BPC. 
Before the treatment, we recommend thoroughly cleaning the whole surface with Osmo Polymer Composite Cleaner. 
It is not recommended to treat freshly installed intact polymer composites with Polymer Composite Maintenance Oil as these surfaces cannot absorb the coating.

Osmo Country Colour cannot be used on decking. Garden decks are mechanically loaded surfaces and Country Colour is not wear-resistant. Correspondingly only wood stains, e.g. Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain or Wood Oil, are suitable for such areas.

Osmo UV-Protection-Oil Extra 420 has film protection, which protects the outside of the wood against mould, algae and fungal attack. Osmo UV-Protection-Oil does not have this product feature.

Our wood finishes enhance the colour of the wood and bring out the wood grain. Even when the finish is dry, the wood surface still looks as if it were wet. This is what we call the “permanent wet effect”. To prevent this, use Osmo Top Oil (Polyx®-Oil) Effect Natural, which contains a small amount of white pigments to counteract this effect.

Freshly coated floor surfaces are accessible as soon as Top Oil (Polyx®-Oil) has dried for approx. 24 hours. Furniture with legs, which allows air to circulate beneath it, can also be placed on the flooring after approx. 24 hours. Objects under which air cannot circulate, such as rugs or mats, should not be placed on the floor for at least 4 weeks, after which Top Oil (Polyx®-Oil) should be completed cured.

The odour that develops after the application is typical for oil finishes. This happens when the finish begins to oxidize. It is not poisonous and perfectly safe for humans, animals and plants. Generally all Osmo products are completely odourless after they have dried for 2-3 weeks under good ventilation and are thoroughly cured.

This all depends on how it is used. For routine and gentle mopping, we recommend adding Osmo Wash and Care to mop water. This is sold individually and in Osmo Cleaning Kit for Floors. Optimal tools for flooring upkeep are found in the Osmo Cleaning Kit for Floors. If flooring starts to look dull, simply refresh it with Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner. This can be done on small areas, e.g. near doors or on high traffic areas, without any visible transitions. If the signs of wear are more substantial, flooring should be recoated with the same Osmo product.

A primer is applied before the application of a coating to improve adhesion to the wood. It does not provide the wood any protection and is not necessary for any of the Osmo wood finishes. Impregnation is solely a protective measure for wood to extend its durability and to protect it against harmful organisms.

Since our exterior products are all based on oils and oils are not susceptible to frost, they can be used at temperatures below freezing. It is important is that the surface to coat is clean, dry and free of frost. For an optimal application, you should store the product at room temperature for approx. 24-36 hours prior to finishing. Water-based products should not be stored at temperatures below 5 °C because there is risk that they may freeze. Also, Osmo products should not be applied at temperatures above 35 °C to avoid drying too fast.

For all vertical building elements in outdoor areas, you can use clear Osmo UV- Protection-Oil (410 or 420). For horizontal surfaces, such as garden decks, there is no clear protection against greying. We recommend using a pigmented Osmo Wood Oil.

For wood species susceptible to blue stain, such as Spruce or Pine, it is recommended to apply impregnation to protect the wood before finishing the surface with an Osmo product. Wood species rich in wood extractives, such as Larch or Douglas Fir, impregnation can be applied but it is not necessary.

Pressure impregnated wood can be coated with any of our exterior wood finishes, but it should weather for at least 6-8 weeks after installation before applying the finish. In this time, excess impregnation is washed out of the wood so there is space in the wood for the oil finish to be absorbed. Due to the colour tone of the pressure impregnation, the colour of the wood stain may look different to the sample on the label.

The Osmo coating of your choice should be thoroughly stirred as stated in the product information sheets. Always use a flat tool to stir the coating. Round tools, like screwdrivers, might not mix in the solid particles enough. If it takes longer to coat your project, it is recommended to stir the coating occasionally and to keep the can closed as much as possible to prevent the coating from drying out. Helpful for stirring coatings are also tools such as Osmo Stirring Stick or Osmo Stirring Strip with slot.