Wood finishing: An oil tint recipe

An Oil Tint Recipe

We are finally getting arriving at the final oil tint recipe for this beautiful 3 metre long bespoke table with a curved base. We often ask clients wanting something bespoke for any pictures of finishes or designs they may have seen elsewhere. It always helps us build up a picture of what they have in their mind. Until you actually see what it is they are thinking – you can never be too sure. And we have to get things absolutely right in order to give the client exactly what they want.

Colour Samples

And so it is with wood finishes. With this particular project, our client is moving into a new oak timber framed home. She is choosing every piece of furniture to fit in around a particular colour scheme in the large dining room where her table is to go. And she has been very specific about what we need to aim for. A light taupe base colour with a hint of white on top, yet still allowing the beautiful oak to show through. Our client has sent us samples of other colours in the room and pictures of the upholstered chairs she will be using. And so for the last few weeks we have been experimenting with colour.

Experimenting with Osmo Oil Tints

We have experience in working with a variety of Osmo Polyx oil tint finishes. And we have been using their range of interior wood tints to help us achieve the effect we want for our current client. We have been dipping into quite a few sample pots to try and get nearer the mark (3044 raw, 3074 graphite, 3040 white, 3111 white). We have also added a secret ingredient to try and help us go a little greyer. Experimenting with paint and colour as an art student is definitely coming in handy all this time later. Playtime!

Osmo Polyx Oil is a versatile protective oil originally made for flooring, but is now also widely used for furniture too. It is hard wearing and tough and is scratch and scuff resistant whilst protecting against liquid spills. Osmo oil has a distinct advantage over some finishes because it can be easily maintained and renovated if required. The ingredients of Osmo oil are made up of a unique blend of oils and waxes which are environmentally friendly and have a very low V.O .C.

With 24 hours drying time in between each coat, the timing of any finishing is always crucial. We need dust free time in the workshop, so timing it with the right stage in the making of two kitchen units the other end of the workshop is important. We also want to take photos of the finished table afterwards, so we need plenty of time before our delivery date in June.

The Final Oil Tint Recipe

It has been a bit of a challenge, but I think we are getting there. So the final recipe will be a first coat of Osmo polyx oil 3111 + secret ingredient to give us the grey/taupe base. A second coat of 3111 to add a hint of white/slightly limed effect.  And a third and final coat of 3044 Raw to seal the deal. So there we have it. Recipe complete!

Elizabeth Harvey
MAKERS BESPOKE FURNITURE

Table Update : 2020

Since writing this post, we have made this Curved Base Table many times in various widths and lengths. The design has proven to work fantastically well in any size, from a 6 seat table to a huge 12 to 14 seat dining table and anything in between. We deliver throughout the UK and France.