Special Who has an oil which can finish in one coat?

A MATURE PRODUCT NOW

FINISHING A WOODEN FLOOR WITH JUST ONE COAT OF OIL IS NO LONGER UNUSUAL NOWADAYS

Artur Podkowa (Stauf - D)

German adhesive specialist STAUF Klebstoffwerk GmbH in Wilnsdorf (North Rhine-Westphalia) has been around for almost 200 years. Stauf develops, produces and sells chemical products, especially adhesives with a major focus on flooring in general.

AKZENT (with as baseline: ‘Balm for wood’) is a brand by STAUF that focusses on all kinds of products that beautify the wooden floor. We talk to Artur Podkowa about the very special characteristics of this oil that can be applied in only one layer. Mister Podkowa is head of Stauf’s technical department, that in itself is part of the division R&D.

“What’s so special about AKZENT Oil in One is that you only need to apply one coat onto the wood, protecting the wood extremely well. What we do, is basically ‘simply’ impregnate the wood and fill its pores. These pores are completely saturated with oil, making it nearly perfectly protected with just one coat (applied with a roller or spatula and polish the wood floor). This is also a very pure product, consisting of nothing else but pure oil (mixture between linseed oil and soy bean oil), with less than 1 percent added dryer, that prevents the oil on top from becoming sticky. This dryer is not based on the carcinogenic cobalt, making it very user-friendly and protecting the health of the installer.”

“The name of the product speaks for itself: you only need one product. This can be used pure, without any hardener, even though there is always the possibility to add such a hardener. The latter is not really necessary, but some users prefer it this way to raise resistance to liquids and wear, even though there is absolutely no need for this. This all in one oil is natural and simple and can later on easily be redone. Take, for example, a warehouse where forklifts cause a lot of wear: just like in an ordinary living-room, you only have to clean and reoil and the wooden floor looks like new.”

“The drying time should be mentioned separately, as you only need to wait for about 1 hour before polishing out the oil. This oil can also be used as a primer, with a waterborne finish later on being put on top, but I repeat: there is no necessity for this, nor for residential, nor for commercial applications. The oil is moreover also labelled as a colour version, with 34 readymade colours that can be mixed. And don’t forget: this oil in one can also be used as a renewing product and even as a care product! Just to be complete: it goes without saying that our product complies to the different European standards and such as the German standard BGR181 (R9, R10 and R11) for slip resistance.”

Development towards outside

Artur Podkowa has quite a surprise up his sleeve towards the end of the interview. He emphasizes how the product is now being intensively tested for use… outside!

“This product is so multifunctional, that some users even apply it outside. To make it clear: we officially don’t recommend this, but might do so in the not too distant future. We are conducting intensive tests towards the development of a real field application, such as for a terrace. When we will bring this to the market? Look, as of now, nothing is official, but there is a chance this might become our next launch...”

People assumed for a long time that if you oiled a wooden floor, you would be better off applying two coats. However, that claim no longer holds true. Can you apply just one coat of oil to a floor and still get an end result to bear comparison with ‘the good old days’? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes, you can,’ and that goes for both residential and commercial applications.

Various producers bring these sorts of ‘mono-coats’ or ‘oil in one’ products onto the market and it’s noticeable that there is a clear effort to offer a product which is as natural as possible. Producers are also trying to include colouring options in the same product so that applying the oil and colouring are achieved in one single coat.

Saturating the pores

This story can be confirmed, for instance, by the Germany producer Stauf. They have launched an all-in one oil on the market and you can read more about that in the attached frame piece. Here they stress how the key point is to saturate the pores, but basically the product works in a similar manner to what is written above and can be used for both residential and commercial applications.

If we consider the performances of the oils in one coat, we note that they are now doing a super job and that there are dozens of standard colours available. Furthermore, they also like to stress that the products contain no solvents or water, that the maintenance is very easy, and that there are no streaks or overlaps. Moreover, these oils can be used on all wood sorts, they are highly resistant to wear and tear, and they set and dry very quickly.

The major advantage, of course, is that you need only one product, which unites all possible features in itself up to and including a care product. Then, there’s the obvious time saving (and, therefore, fewer costs), so it immediately becomes clear that oils in one coat are a great success.

Don’t forget the preparation

Does this mean that applying oil is a piece of cake? The answer to that questions is, ‘Yes and no.’ Yes, the oiling itself is now really simple and can be done quickly. No, because you still have to pay a lot of attention to the preparation and you have to do the job properly in line with professional standards. For instance, you must never forget that wood surfaces to be treated must be dry and free of oil, wax, grease, and dust (with the final sanding use a grain of at least 100 - 120) and that you must remove grinding dust carefully with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Moreover, don’t forget to stir the oil thoroughly before use and be sure to apply it using equipment recommended by the producer. What you certainly must avoid is the formation of pools of oil during the application and you should remember that it is essential to saturate the wood pores. And so, apply the oil preferably in one spot at the same time. Then, let the oil soak in for a while and rub the oil with a pad to remove surplus matter. Apply it to the adjoining areas with some overlap to prevent differences in colour. Repeat the polishing process as well if, after the polishing, there is still surplus matter on the treated area.

Some other specialists have their say:

Bona

A PERFECT MATCH

From subfloor preparation to surface treatment

Our claim is consistently high quality and products that meet the highest requirements in terms of healthy living, occupational safety and durability. And that without any undesirable interactions. So we put together a perfect team from STAUF subfloor preparation to AKZENT surface treatment!

BONA CRAFT OIL 2K – Parquet oil 2-components – 1.25L and 400ml Bona Craft Oil 2K’s unique vegetable oils formula ensures rapid drying and ultimate protection. It is the ideal finish for sometimes troublesome wood sorts such as kambala, afzelia, and walnut. It is also suitable for use on smoked oak and steamed beech. Bona Craft Oil 2K ensures a particularly fresh and waterproof and stain-proof surface and is ready for use after a drying time of only 8 hours (Neutral) to 12 hours (Colour Oil). Colours: It is supplied in 17 modern colours as standard – you can mix the colours with each other to get any colour you wish. Other colours can be obtained by adding effects with Bona Nordic Tone and Bona Rich Tone (reactive stains). For even better protection of the parquet oil, can be lacquered over, if necessary, with Bona Traffic parquet lacquers to make it easier to maintain the wooden floor. Recommended finish : Alt. 1 – Average/Heavy use 1x Bona Craft Oil 2K Alt. 2 – Heavy/Commercial use 1x Bona Craft Oil 2K 2x Bona Traffic / Traffic HD / Traffic Natural Alt. 3 – Average/Heavy use 1x Bona Tone 1x Bona Craft Oil 2K.

Ciranova

Oil is still very popular with customers because of the natural look and many possibilities that oil offers. A colored oil can be used to simply color the wood. Ciranova has different types of oil in its range of products, among them UN1CO, the 2-component one coat oil that colors and protects in just one layer and provides good chemical and mechanical resistance. The combination of oil with hardener ensures rapid drying. UN1CO is VOC-free and is made from 90% renewable raw materials, making the product a sustainable and ecological solution. UN1CO is used for both residential and commercial applications. UN1CO can be finished with a waterborne finish FORTICO 2C and for the best possible protection without using a waterborne finish, UN1CO can be finished with Hardwaxoil TITAN.

Chimiver

LIOS BIOIL 2K is a two-component natural oil treatment for wooden floors in only one single coat. It has very high chemical and physical resistance, high coverage and it is very easy to be maintained; it gives to the wooden floor a warm and soft effect. LIOS BIOIL 2K is formulated with natural oils and it is VOC free.

RIGO Verffabriek

ROYL OIL 1K & 2K The master oil makers of RIGO Verffabriek have been making ROYL floor oils from 100% vegetable oils for almost 40 years. Demand for our oils

is still as high as ever, thanks to their evident benefits for processors and end users alike. End users prefer our oils because of their beautiful, matte natural look and our wide range of 45 standard colours. For professionals ROYL OIL offers great ease of use, non-marking application and short lead times: apply, rub, rub dry. The oil is so strong that a single layer will do. 1 litre will cover 30 to 40 m2. ROYL OIL comes in a 1K and 2K version. With our 2K oils, you will be able to walk on your finished floor within 24 hours. The ROYL OIL 1K is a 100% vegetable-based product, which is available in the 24 standard colours that can be made with base Clear. The ROYL OIL 2K is available in base Clear, base White and base Black, giving rise to a range of 45 standard colours.

RUBIO MONOCOAT

THE PIONEER FOR OIL IN ONE SINGLE LAYER Revolutionary in the market The Rubio Monocoat oil is revolutionary for various reasons. The idea for the Rubio Monocoat oil started in the year 2000. At the company behind the brand, Muylle Facon, they were busy designing the first monocoat oil for wood protection. Moreover, the product was not only supposed to protect all wood types, it would also colour it in the same layer. The cherry on top was the ecological production process and the VOC-free product itself. From 2005 on, the oil with revolutionary molecular binding was available on the market and the whole world was able to get to know this quality product. A growing success Meanwhile, Rubio Monocoat has come a long way. In addition to their success product Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C for interior wood, they developed a version for exterior wood, namely the Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector. For public places the company came up with a fire retardant oil system Rubio Monocoat FR Oil System as well. The company itself also grew along with its success. A new factory started up in Izegem in 2016 and now Rubio Monocoat is already exporting to over 80 countries. copyright © Rubio Monocoat Creative with wood Additionally, Rubio Monocoat oil offers countless possibilities thanks to the extensive colour palette. With no less than 40 different colours you can give your wood a unique touch. Moreover, you can choose a custom-made colour, mix colours with one another or combine a standard colour with optional pre-colouring. You could choose to maintain the natural look and feel of your wood, or make it colourful with our trendy pop choices. In the townhouse featured in the photo they chose to maintain the natural aspect of the wood. Therefore, they worked with Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C, colour Pure.

Suitable for children's toys Safe for humans, animals & plants Tested acc. DIN EN 71.3; resistant to saliva and perspiration (when dry)