Estetik coloured oils protect wood against water and sunlight

Although September has already passed, autumn is still beautiful, with days that, although shorter, are sunny and clear. Perfect weather to continue yard and garden projects, to paint, protect and prepare wood for the cold season. Wind, snow, cold weather or low humidity due to frost can take its toll and it's good to make sure it makes it through the winter. I think this is a good time to talk about Estetik range of oils that I discovered in the Bochemit offer from Deposib. I was convinced that Bochemit just meant protection against insects, especially ticks, a mould and fungi or fire. However, I have discovered a number of coloured oils for finishing wood, both outside and inside. Of the traditional range of colours, white and especially grey caught my eye, a colour with which you can make wood look old and get rid of the nuisance of damp and mould.

Why I prefer oils for exterior wood finishing

I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that I prefer oil for finishing exterior wood. That's not to say that other products - varnishes or paints - are no good. But I'm the kind of person who prefers the easy way, and oil is one such way for finishing wood. Why do I say that? Because oil is easy to apply and maintain, and refinishing doesn't involve removing the old coat by stripping or sanding, as with other finishes, just applying another coat. With oil, there is no film to crack and flake off if the dimensional variation of the wood is large. Oil allows this natural movement and it has no effect on the integrity of the finish.

Another reason I prefer oil is its incompatibility with water. The main problem with wood decay is water getting into the wood and staying there. This creates a breeding ground for insects and fungi, and they smooth the way for wood decay. Oil doesn't mix with water, so if it is absorbed into the wood, it will keep the water away. It's true that water doesn't let up either, and every time it rains or snows, it "washes away" some of the absorbed oil. This is why oil-finished wood must be maintained. When you notice that the wet silky appearance of the oil has disappeared and a dry appearance appears, this is a signal that the finish needs to be refreshed.

And while we're on the subject of oil, I'd like to make a point. I often see on social media the recommendation to finish wood on the outside with linseed oil. Totally colourless linseed oil does not withstand solar radiation and is not recommended for outdoors. Neither does motor oil or other colourless oils withstand the sun. Over time, wood changes colour and starts to blacken. To protect against the sun's rays the oil must contain a quantity of pigment. This does not mean that it will become opaque, like paint. It will still be transparent because the percentage of pigment added is small, not exceeding 5%.

Range of coloured oils from Bochemit

Estetik is a range of oil-based lacquers for impregnating wood indoors or outdoors. The oils provide protection against UV radiation and prevent water penetration into the wood. To make the protection from sunlight effective, the oils are coloured in different colours, as natural as possible. The lacquers give a pleasant colour to the wood, but do not cover it completely, leaving its natural grain and pattern visible. The oils penetrate deep into the wood providing protection from the inside. They do not form a film, so they do not crack or peel, providing protection against water. The final appearance is matt, slightly silky, typical of oiled wood.

The Estetik range includes 8 colours: pine, golden pine, mahogany, chestnut, walnut, rosewood, white and grey. They can be applied with a brush or a roller and if the wood is well sanded and prepared, the coloured surface will be uniform. Apply 1 or 2 coats on the inside, but at least 2 coats are needed on the outside for good protection. The more coats applied, the darker the colour becomes. It is best not to apply more than 3 coats so as not to darken the colour too much, thus losing the beauty of the fibre.

Estetik lazines, along with other Bochemit products, are appreciated and used to restore and protect many important targets. One such site is the Dacian fortress of Costești. To protect it, a wooden structure was built and treated with Bochemit Opti F+for protection against wood pests (insects, fungi, mould) and with Bochemit Estetik Protective Oil for a pleasant appearance and protection against UV radiation and environmental factors.

How to apply Estetik oils

The wood must be clean, properly dried and well sanded before the lacquers are applied. In the case of softwood, any traces of resin are removed by wiping with thinners. The way the wood is prepared influences the final appearance of the surface and the durability of the protection. To protect the wood against mould, fungi and insects, it is recommended to treat the wood with special products from the Bochemit range - Bochemit Opti F+ (against fungi) or Bochemit Plus I (against ticks and other insects). Transparent versions of these products are used so as not to influence the final colour. The varnish is applied only after these materials have dried perfectly. For safety it is recommended to apply after 24 hours.

If varnish is applied to old wood or wood that has been previously treated with other materials, it is recommended to sand it. Especially if the wood has been treated with film-forming materials, the finish should be removed (even if there is only film residue). It is possible that water has already got under the cracked film. Even if Estetik lacquer is applied on top, the peeling of the old film from the wood will continue, sensitising the finish. Wood recovered from old buildings or constructions should be treated with Bochemit insect repellents for safety.

Before application, shake the product. Any coloured product containing pigments should be shaken before use. Pigments have different weights and after a while, some of them - the heavier ones - may settle, the others remain in suspension. That's why some colours change if the packaging has been sitting still for a long time. Simply stir vigorously and the colour will return to its original colour.

Let's go back to the Estetik lacquers. Apply with a brush or a trowel and the optimal working temperature is between +10 and +23°C. As I said at the beginning, this is the optimal period for such work. It is not good to apply the varnish at air temperatures below +5°C or above +40°C. If you are finishing wood on the inside, apply 1-2 coats and 2-3 coats for the outside. Like any oil, apply in excess, allow the wood to absorb, then brush off the excess. After 6 hours, when it doesn't take (not that wet feeling), the next coat can be applied. Total drying takes place in 24 hours. After use, the utensils are cleaned thoroughly and used cloths, sponges or other oil-soaked debris are placed in a bowl of water.

Oil finishing wood surfaces preserves the natural appearance of the wood while protecting it. And maintenance and refinishing is simple, without vigorous stripping and sanding. Just apply a new coat. Get to work!