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 Landhausfarbe, 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 Holzschutz Öl-Lasur, we recommend two coats. Osmo Einmal-Lasur, 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.

On our website, technical information on individual Osmo products can be found under the respective product page. Here you can find a detailed product description as well as a full declaration, safety datasheet and much more.

Yes, Osmo Landhausfarbe and Holzschutz Öl-Lasur 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, and there is a mixing surcharge of €23.50 per colour tone. Plus, biocidal active ingredients for film protection against algae and fungal attack can be added to Osmo Landhausfarbe for an extra surcharge.

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

As soon as wood finish gets on clothing, it must be rubbed out with Osmo Pinselreiniger 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. For example, the colour tones of Osmo Dekorwachs can be mixed with each other to create an even wider variety of colours.

With Osmo Pinselreiniger or a turpentine substitute from a DIY store.

The durability of a wood finish not only depends on 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. Upon request, we can send you a detailed full declaration with all ingredients. Alternatively these can also be found on our website under the individual product pages.

Osmo Wohnraum-Wachs is a water-based finish. Osmo Dekorwachs, on the other hand, is based on oils and waxes. Plus Wohnraum-Wachs 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.

Only one coat is needed for Einmal-Lasur.

An impregnation is only necessary when coating raw untreated Spruce or Pine in outdoor areas. Osmo Holz-Imprägnierung WR protects the inside of wood. Afterwards Osmo Holzschutz Öl-Lasur can be applies, which provides protection from the outside.

We only recommend Osmo UV-Schutz-Öl for horizontal surfaces because it is not wear-resistant.

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, Holzentgrauer or Intensivreiniger. Afterwards the wood should be treated with a finish with a suitable film protection, e.g. Osmo Holzschutz Öl-Lasur.

No, there is not finish available for WPC or BPC boards. But, Osmo WPC & BPC Reiniger is suitable for cleaning the polymer composite surfaces in outdoor areas.

No, there are no suitable finishes because bamboo is a type of grass that does not really have any pores, in which the finish can be absorbed.

Osmo Landhausfarbe cannot be used on decking. Garden decks are mechanically loaded surfaces and Landhausfarbe is not wear-resistant. Correspondingly only wood stains, e.g. Osmo Holzschutz Öl-Lasur or Terrassen-Öl, are suitable for such areas.

Osmo UV-Schutz-Öl Extra 420 has film protection, which protects the outside of the wood against mould, algae and fungal attack. Osmo UV-Schutz-Öl 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 Hartwachs-Öl Effekt Natural, which contains a small amount of white pigments to counteract this effect.

Freshly coated floor surfaces are accessible as soon as Hartwachs-Öl 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 one week, after which Hartwachs-Öl 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.

That depends on the amount of use. For routine cleaning that is also gentle on wood, we recommend adding Osmo Wisch-Fix cleaning concentrate to your mop water. This is available separately or also in Osmo Cleaning Kit for Flooring. Osmo Spray-Mop also offers an optimal solution for the regular cleaning and care of flooring. When the flooring begins to dull and look matt, you can refresh it easily with Osmo Wachspflege- und Reinigungsmittel. This can also be applied to worn spots in high-traffic areas, such as near doors, without any noticeable transitions. Extremely worn flooring should be refinished with Osmo Hartwachs-Öl.

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 horizontal building elements in outdoor areas, you can use clear Osmo UV- Schutz-Öl (410 or 420). For vertical surfaces, such as garden decks, there is not clear protection against greying. We recommend using a pigmented Osmo Terrassen-Öl.

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.