OSMO natural oils are high-quality, plant-based oil finishes that can be used for both interior and exterior applications. We love OSMO here at Thor’s Hammer because it makes timber maintenance a dream, and the best part—you don’t have to harm the planet in the process.
Who or what is OSMO?
OSMO is a German timber supplier that also makes a huge range of high quality, non-toxic, ethical and sustainable timber finishes made from naturally harvested oils and hard waxes. Osmo were founded way back in 1878, and they make the best coatings for timber because they fully test them and then use them in production of their own timber products.
Their products are made from a unique blend of all-natural ingredients, including Thistle Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Carnauba Wax. All of their interior products are food safe, and child-friendly, so can be used safely on wooden toys and chopping boards, on top of its many standard applications.
OSMO is designed to let the beauty of the timber shine through, enhancing its colour and grain without any yellowing. The oil penetrates deep into the timber, forming a thin and invisible coating, unlike traditional water-based or polyurethane finishes. This thin coat provides exceptional waterproofing and durability, ensuring long-lasting protection for your timber surfaces.
Why We Love OSMO Oils & Waxes
We have experimented over the years with many different environmentally friendly finishes for our timbers. The Osmo finishes from Germany have proved to be the best. Here’s why:
1. They include all-natural ingredients
OSMO’s commitment to using natural ingredients means you won't find any harmful chemicals in their products. This makes them safe for you, your family, and the environment.
2. They enhance the natural appearance of the timber
OSMO Natural Oils let the timber speak for itself, by bringing out the true beauty of timber. The finishes look natural and don't obscure the wood's natural colours and patterns, and there’s no yellowing.
3. They provide superior protection for timber products
The combination of oils and waxes, and the special way the oils are processed to reduce the particle size, creates a waterproof and durable surface that shields the timber from damage, including watermarks and stains. While the finish achieves full hardness over time, it's essential to take extra care during the first few months of use.
4. They make timber maintenance a breeze
OSMO’s Hardwax Oil produces a surface which will not watermark or stain easily like a traditional oiled finish, ensuring easy upkeep. Unlike conventional lacquers, you won't need to sand the whole area if damage occurs. A simple application of OSMO Liquid Wax Cleaner Spray will often do the trick, or you can recoat after cleaning without sanding back to bare timber. We supply a can of the Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner with all our furniture (included in the cost).
5. They provide really high coverage
OSMO products are concentrated, reducing the need for solvents, and offering high coverage on Australian timbers. This not only speeds up application but also reduces transport costs and environmental impact.
Popular OSMO Products
We offer a range of popular OSMO products off the shelf, which you can come and pick up Monday through Friday, 8am until 4:30pm, or on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm. We usually have most of the following OSMO products in stock, so come visit our showroom in Griffith (Canberra) to stock up! If you’re out of town, we can ship products to you—get in touch with us to organise this.
1. OSMO Polyx Oil
OSMO Polyx Oil is the most popular OSMO product we stock. It’s an extremely durable Hardwax Oil for flooring, benchtops and furniture, available in clear, satin-matt or matt.
2. OSMO Wood Protector
OSMO Wood Protector is a priming coat for interior applications where there is dampness or high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
3. OSMO Wood Wax Finish
OSMO Wood Wax Finish has a combination of both oils and waxes, and is ideal for interior joinery like shelving and doors, as well as flooring. It comes in a huge range of coloured stains so you can get creative with the timber look. As with all OSMO products, it’s non-toxic, and therefore can also be used for kids furniture or playpens.
4. OSMO UV Protection Oil
The OSMO UV Protection Oil is a clear finish which is recommended for vertical surfaces, so it is suitable for pergola posts, external cladding and front doors. It’s a two coat system and should always be recoated before it starts to lose colour or deteriorate, as it loses all UV protection as soon as the outside coat has been burnt off by the sun. We generally find that the UV Protection Oil needs a recoat once every 6-18 months - this varies depending how exposed the timber is.
5. OSMO Decking Oil
OSMO Decking Oil is suitable for exterior applications, such as decking and pergolas, and will last longer than the UV Protection Oil - usually 18 to 36 months on vertical surfaces and around 12 months on horizontal surfaces in full sun.
It’s available in a range of stains to give extra protection and to unify the appearance of the timbers. Upon application, you will lose some of the natural variation in the colour, but you can choose a stain colour that matches the natural colour of the timber fairly closely.
6. OSMO Anti-Slip Decking Oil
OSMO Anti-Slip Decking Oil provides a rough anti-slip effect to exterior timber decking (as the name suggests!). It’s also protective against mould and discolouration, and is UV-resistant.
7. OSMO Application Tools
We sell a range of OSMO application products, including:
OSMO floor brush
Osmo microfibre rollers
OSMO Brush Cleaner and Thinner
We highly recommend the Osmo floor brush with telescopic handle for coating floors or for applying decking oil. It means you can do nearly the whole job standing up (except for cutting in by hand near painted walls), and the stiff short bristle and wide brush makes it very easy to spread the Osmo quickly and thinly for minimal waste.
You can store the floor brush wet between coats by wrapping it tightly in a plastic bag overnight. Once the job is finished, clean it with Osmo Brush Cleaner and Thinner, dry with a rag and then wash again with hot water and soap before storing.
How to buy OSMO from us
As the only OSMO supplier in the ACT, we get many DIYers, woodworkers and professionals from around Canberra popping in to stock up on OSMO.
We have a big range of OSMO available now at our workshop and showroom, and we’re more than happy to order products in for you.
Browse the entire OSMO range here, and get in touch with us if you have questions about our stock, or to order something in. Our team can also help you out with advice on the best OSMO product for your job.
Drop in anytime from Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm, or on Saturdays 10am-2pm. You can also call us on (02) 6282 9900 or hammer@thors.com.au.
If you would like to order OSMO products from us, please click the button below to fill out an enquiry form and our team will be in touch with you within two working days. You can come in to pick up the products, or we can ship them out to you.
OSMO FAQs
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Apply thinly and evenly along the wood grain with the Osmo Natural Bristle Brush or the Osmo Microfibre Roller, and spread well. Osmo should be applied onto a clean and dry surface.
Allow for good ventilation whilst drying. Apply a second coat as before. The final surface quality is dependent on the wood’s surface structure, we therefore always recommend testing the product on a small sample area before complete application. For the maintenance of Osmo finishes, generally only one coat is required.
For drying times and coverage check the details on the Osmo product you are using. For more detailed instructions on applying the Osmo Polyx Oil (internal use only) download these information sheets.
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Extended drying times are usually caused from slow penetration of the finish into the wood. There are a number of possible causes for this to happen. The most common cause for this is over-application. If there is an excess amount of finish on the surface, there will be no more space in the wood for the finish to be able to penetrate into, which can create a tacky or sticky surface. The first step is to open the windows and doors to provide additional ventilation so that the finish can dry naturally by oxidation.
For cases of over-application, wipe the surface with white spirit (mineral turpentine) and a cloth to remove excess product and improve penetration. It may be that sanding is required and re-application is recommended, if this still does not resolve the situation.
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Polyx Oil Original has a drying time of approximately 8-10 hours between coats. Polyx Oil Rapid has a drying time of approximately 4-6 hours between coats, but is more difficult to apply.
Lower temperatures and/or high humidity can increase the drying time. The full curing time for these products is approx. 28 days, however the surface can be used after 2-3 days. During the curing period, we do not recommend heavy traffic, use of water or detergents on the surface for cleaning, or covering the surface with something like carpet or cardboard.
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The maintenance period usually depends on the elements. This can vary from approx. six months to five years. Generally, in Australia the recommended renovation is every 1-3 years. If the timber is north or west facing or located by the coast, annual maintenance will be required.
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Maintenance is very easy. Simply re-apply one thin coat (of the product you used originally) onto a clean, dry surface. If you haven’t used your Osmo tin recently, ensure to stir the Osmo with a flat wooden or plastic stirring stick for about a minute. Do not shake the Osmo tin. Shaking introduces microscopic air bubbles into the thick oil and wax mixture. When you apply the finish, these tiny bubbles get trapped on the timber surface. As the finish dries, the bubbles pop and leave behind an uneven, textured surface filled with tiny craters, pinholes, or rough patches.
If you accidentally shook the container, do not apply it to your timber immediately. Set the tin down on a flat surface, remove the lid, and let it sit undisturbed for at least 30 to 60 minutes. This gives the trapped air bubbles enough time to rise to the surface and pop before you begin your application.
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Rollers and brushes can be cleaned using Osmo Brush Cleaner and Thinner. The most effective way to do this is by rinsing the roller or brushes thoroughly with warm water and filling a container (preferably large enough to fit the rollers or brushes in) with Osmo Brush Cleaner and Thinner and leaving the brushes in this container overnight. In the morning, you can give them another thorough rinse with warm water and the roller or brushes will be as good as new!
Rollers and brushes can be wrapped in a plastic bag while they are wet and then left overnight between coats, but they should be cleaned if they are going to be left for longer than 24 hours.
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For all Osmo finishes we recommend a maximum of two coats. For staining wooden flooring, only one coat of colour is required followed by a final coat of Osmo Polyx Oil clear. For use in Bathrooms or Kitchens, we recommend a base coat of Osmo Wood Protector, followed by two finishing coats such as Osmo Polyx Oil. For the inside of cabinets or wardrobes, we only recommend one coat of Osmo Polyx Oil. For treating softwoods externally, we recommend a base coat of Osmo WR Base Coat, followed by two finishing coats such as UV Protection Oil.
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The difference between these finishes is mainly the appearance only, and your preference of colour. Polyx Oil Tints is a hardwax oil designed with a minimal amount of pigments in the finish to slightly tint the natural wood colour (For example - application of Polyx Oil Tints White 3040 will provide the natural wood colour with a tint of white, giving it a white-washed or liming effect).
Wood Wax Finish Transparent is a wax finish with more pigments in the formulation to stain the wood to the colour of your choice, while still allowing the natural grain of the wood to be visible. A final coat of Osmo Polyx Oil is required to protect the pigments.
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Yes, you can apply Osmo Polyx Oil Matt over the Osmo Polyx Oil Satin and vice versa. However, if you have recently applied Satin and you have completed the maximum of two coats, then we recommend cleaning or fine sanding the surface to allow an extra coat of Matt or vice versa.
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We recommend applying Osmo finishes onto a clean, dry and raw wood surface for the first application for best results possible. We recommend cleaning or slightly sanding any old microporous finishes such as oils or waxes. Varnish or lacquers must be fully sanded as these types of finishes can block the penetration of the Osmo finishes.
Sand carefully before application starting with a coarse paper, final sanding for flooring P100-150, for furniture P150-180. Remove any dust thoroughly from the surface before application using a vacuum cleaner and apply the Osmo finish accordingly.