Original Finish
by Autumn Peterson
Our Original Finish is called "original" because it was the first of our products designed for the specific needs of big timber and logs but it is also useful on furniture, trim work or any interior project. It soaks in quickly and you can build multiple coats as needed.
There are unique finishing requirements for large timbers and logs, Heritage Natural Finishes produce a superior, natural and easily repaired finish on any woodwork, enhancing the patina and grain pattern of the species to which it is applied. Because it contains no drying agents of any kind, our finishes may be left on the wood surfaces for extended times, from a hour to overnight without gumming or hardening, thus greatly enhancing absorption into the wood. Our natural oil finish continues to wick deeper into the fibers, grain, and checks long after the surface is dry.
Our Original Finish
This is our most popular and most versatile finish. It can be used on just about any woodwork, especially timbers, logs, laminated beams, molding, T&G, or furniture. The oil can be applied by brush, rag, lambswool pad, roller, or sprayer, whichever works best for you. It’s thin enough for quick penetration but with enough solids for a rich, water-resistant coat. The look of the final finish is matte with only two coats. Subsequent coats, buffing and top coating with our Liquid Wax End Sealer, if desired, will produce more sheen and increase the water-resistance, but the overall look is quite natural and matted.
Application:
- Stir or shake before use, and avoid application in direct sunlight or rain. Test our product first on a small test surface to make sure you like it and are comfortable with how it goes on and performs. In some applications, such as a log home, initial treatment with a borate salt solution should be considered for long-term protection against mold, insects, and sap stain, as well as "breaking" the mill glaze.
- Apply the oil to woodwork of any type, using a real lambswool applicator or pad, pump-up or airless sprayer, or a well-made brush. We do not recommend application with a paint roller, however many of our customers have been using high quality lambswool, short nap rollers and had great success.
- On logs and timbers, fill all checks with the product. This will greatly reduce further checking, even on freshly sawn species such as oak. Using a wet-on-wet technique, apply only as much finish as the wood will absorb in a day, or buff off excess as needed.
- For a timber frame interior, we recommend applying two coats of oil. Wet sand or power buff for a furniture-grade finish if desired. For a deeper finish (both visually and in terms of penetration), apply several coats over several days, optionally wet-sanding between coats, top-coating and/or buffing, depending on the grade of finish you want. Clean wood surface and re-apply as often as desired or as required by your climate (in some areas it could be up to 10 years before you need another coat); there is no need to sand, just re-apply directly over existing Heritage Natural Finishes.
- For success oiling any surface, apply the oil, let it soak in and wipe off whatever doesn't soak in.
It's not advised to apply our finishes over the top of other products or finishes; the wood should be bare, free of dust and dirt, and untreated (except as noted above with borates) unless you have tested it and like the results. Heritage Natural Finishes are very durable; repair by rubbing in more finish to abrasions, scuffs and scratches with an abrasive pad or rag. The nature of our finishes prevents most problems with air bubbles, lap marks, and dust and is easy to apply. For long term maintenance, just be sure the surface is clean and rub in another coat when the wood looks dry or needs touching up.
Coverage:
Approx. 350 square feet per gallon or 500 board feet per gallon; rough-sawn materials tend to absorb more. You get less coverage on the first coat and more on the second. The density of the wood is also a factor. Softer woods like pine or reclaimed doug-fir will absorb more than oak for example. Obviously dry wood will soak up a lot more oil than green timbers, so you may want to over-estimate when ordering. Store any leftover oil in an air-tight metal or glass container for long-term storage. Shake well before using again and thin with more Pure Citrus Solvent if the oil gets thicker over time.
VOC Levels: Max 405.45 g/L
Food safe once dry. 100% Bio-based.
Clean Up:
For spills, over spray, or to clean up brushes, use our Pure Citrus Solvent or other solvent (Turpentine, Mineral Spirits, etc.).
For spills, over spray, or to clean up brushes, use our Pure Citrus Solvent or other solvent (Turpentine, Mineral Spirits, etc.).
*For additional protection against insects and molds, consider treating all wood with a borate solution before oiling.
Photo and stunning woodwork by MoreSun Timber Frames, Long Creek, SC. Our Original Finish is used on all the trim, floor, railings, timber work and ceiling.