Oil sample for wood: why and how to test a shade

Choosing an oil or woodstain shade from a colour chart or a photo on the internet is tempting, but the result on your wood can look completely different. That is why at Zrubko we sell 5 ml samples of oils and paints as separate products for 2 €. You can check whether the shade really suits you before you buy a full pack and treat the whole deck or cladding.

Why test the shade on your own wood

Oil is not an opaque paint. It does not cover the wood but soaks into it and combines with its own colour and grain. The final look is therefore affected by several things:

• Wood species. The same shade looks different on light spruce, on oak and on darker thermally modified wood.
• Absorbency of the wood. Softwood and board ends soak up more oil and darken more noticeably.
• Sanding. A finely sanded surface takes the finish differently from a coarser or only planed one.
• Number of coats. A second coat deepens the shade.
• Screen and print. Colours on a monitor or in a printed colour chart do not match reality exactly.

A test area on your own wood is the only reliable way to see the final result.

Which samples we offer

In the Samples category you will find 5 ml packs of OSMO finishes, for example:

• hardwax oil Original, tinted and Effect Natural and Raw,
• decking oil in shades for different wood species,
• natural oil woodstain and UV-protection oils,
• wood wax finishes, TopOil and oil stain,
• Country Colour.

According to the product information, one sample covers approximately 0.1 to 0.15 m², which is enough for a test area. For each sample you choose a specific shade.

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When a sample pays off most

• For large areas. A deck, facade, floor or cladding for a whole attic means several litres of finish and a lot of work. A wrong shade is hard to correct later.
• For coloured and dark shades. The stronger the shade, the bigger the difference between the colour chart and reality.
• For decking oils. The shades are named after wood species, for example Douglas fir, Bangkirai or Garapa. The name tells you which wood species the shade was originally intended for, not that your wood will look exactly like it.
• When matching what you already have. New cladding next to existing furniture, a staircase or doors is best compared directly side by side.

How to treat a test area

1. Use the same wood. The best is an offcut from the boards you will be treating, or an inconspicuous spot directly on the finished surface.
2. Prepare the surface the same way as the whole area. The same sanding and the same paper grit. The surface must be dry, clean and free of dust.
3. Stir the sample thoroughly. The pigments settle at the bottom.
4. Apply a thin coat. Spread the oil along the grain and do not leave a thick layer on the surface. It takes longer to dry and can look different.
5. Let it dry. You will find the drying time in the product's technical data. Wet oil is always darker than dry oil.
6. Apply a second coat to part of the area. If you are planning two coats, apply the second coat to only half of the sample. You will see the difference straight away.
7. Label the sample. Write the shade, the number of coats and the date on the back, especially if you are testing several shades at once.

What to watch out for

• Judge it in the right light. Look at the sample in daylight and in the lighting that will be in the room. For exterior use, take it outside.
• Try several pieces of wood. Even boards from one bundle can differ in colour and number of knots.
• Remove the old finish. On wood with the original varnish or woodstain the oil will not soak in and the result will not match reality.
• Remember that wood ages. Wood changes colour over time in the light. Outdoors the weather also has an effect, so the sample mainly shows the look shortly after treatment.
• A sample does not replace the instructions. Always check the coverage, number of coats and application method for the whole area in the manufacturer's technical data sheet.

Once you have chosen

When you find a shade that suits you, choose a large pack in the OSMO category or in the whole range of wood paints and oils. Brushes, rollers and application fleeces can be found in accessories.

If you are not sure what to choose, stop by the Zrubko shop at Hviezdoslavova 1118 in Kysucké Nové Mesto (Mon – Fri 8:00 – 17:00, Sat 8:00 – 12:00) or call +421 911 869 777. We will help you choose a suitable finish for your wood.