Oak worktop and Osmo Top Oil (3068 Natural version)

[paro]

Hi All - I have been finishing the oak tops with the 3068 natural version of the Osmo Top Oil however it seems to go on quite different to the normal satin/matt version. I'm applying it with a brush and rubbing the excess off after a few mins. Because this seems to be a very differnet oil it feels like more coats are needed. Just wondering if anyone out there has any experince with these oils.

 

Oak tops. Initially sanded to 150. Applied two coats 12 hrs apart, then rubbed down with 240 before applying a third coat. Forth applied same as third. 

 

Cheers, Paul

Edited December 22, 2025 by paro

[Nestor]

Not quite the same but have just painted 14 flush plywood internal doors with black Osmo Oil stain.

I did 3 coats, first 2 applied with a 4" roller and sanded with 320.

Top coat applied very liberally with lint free cloth wrapped around a hand pad holder, Osmo do a fleece, link below.

https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/osmo-hand-applicator-fleece?sid=1&s=3970027-c23026905f54b60afc435908c3958a1f&r=10&p=1

 

Have you noticed any white pigment in the 3068?

[paro]

Thanks Nestor. The white pigment does seem to settle anywhere there is a little grain or its a bit rougher due to imperfections like knots, I've epoxied anything large but didn't apprecaite how little it needs to settle and catch in smaller gaps. Overall I really like the look but that does spoil it a bit in places. I think the mistake I've made was not spending more time getting the rough factory belt sanding out so there are some deeper scratches that pick up the pigment. 

 

 

 

[markc]

Instead of sanding (which picks up the fibres) finish by scraping. I use a Stanley (other brands are available) type knife blade and drag along the surface, incline blade slightly towards direction of travel. A few strokes and you will feel the surface is very smooth. You will probably find most of the “whiting” will scrape off as you remove the “fluffy” grain patches

[Nestor]

I installed similar worktops in 2006, very pleased with them. The final surface was a smooth as glass. 

Once in use the minor blemishes will hopefully become less relevant.

Easy to maintain, every couple of years I would rub down with wire wool / sandpaper and reapply with a cloth.

I did test the 3068 but found the white pigment interfered with  the actual colour of the wood, this was a few years back. 

 

[paro]

So I thought I'd gotten the tops ready for Christmas, but it was a bit of a let down. They didn't hold up well at all. Plenty of ring marks and water stains. I'd got about 4 coats on and they looked and felt great so really thought they would have held up better. Going to call Osmo tomorrow to see if I've done something wrong in how I've applied. There was very light use on the day as well, much less than how they'll end up being used every day. 

 

 

[Russdl]

The Osmo oil I’ve used in the past said ‘maximum 2 coats’. I can’t see how 4 coats would be a problem but maybe it is? Does your particular oil mention maximum number of coats?

 

I’ve got 2 coats of the white pigment one (probably the 3068) on a table top and it’s not showing any sign of wear and tear after a year or so - mind you nothing is put straight on to the table top without a mat or coaster. 

 

 

[paro]

I've spoken to Osmo now and they were happy with the application and number of coats so should have been fine. We agreed to put another fine coat on with a rub down and then to try avoid using as much as possible for a couple of weeks.

[Super_Paulie]

i used the clear matt and its nice stuff.

Flood it on with a roller, leave it 24hrs. Rub down with an orbital on 240. Then flood it again, leave another 24hrs. Sand back again with 240. One final coat but wipe it down until its "dry". Left it a week before putting anything on it, jobs a good un.