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Wood Oiling
How to Prepare a Wooden Surface Before Oiling
Oiling woodwork is for protecting the wood and for enhancing the natural grain of the surface. It gives the wooden surfaces a natural sheen and texture and makes the grains stand out. Wood oiling is widely used for a variety of high-end finish applications, such as maintenance of countertops, oiling furniture, refinishing kitchen countertops and recoating old surfaces.
Before, in-between and after the oiling, you need to ensure that the wood has been properly sanded. Mirka offers a wide range of sanding solutions to prepare the wood before oiling.
- Prior to oiling, the wood is sanded with correct grit, which results in an excellent finish.
- The special structure of the abrasives ensures a long lifetime together with safer sanding.
The process of wood oiling
How to Prepare the Surface
Sand the wooden surface with either Mirka Abranet ® or Mirka® Galaxy abrasives up to P150 with a Mirka ® DEROS or Mirka ® LEROS-S electric sander.
Abranet features a net structure instead of the conventional paper backing. This results in extremely efficient on-tool dust removal that improves both the work quality and the working environment. Most oiled surfaces are hardwood, and exposure to hardwood dust is hazardous for your health. By using a dust-free sanding solution such as Abranet, you can reduce exposure to harmful sanding dust. The benefits of dust-free sanding aren’t just improved health and reduced risks, but also a better surface finish.
Note: When oiling wood multiple times, you can use Abranet to sand away raised wood fibres between treatments. Another good choice for intermediate sanding is Iridium 400. Remember to wait until the oil has dried before you move on to this intermediate sanding.
We also recommend avoiding the use of Abranet on wooden surfaces with cutouts or sharp corners, as these can damage the net structure of the abrasive.
Galaxy combines effectiveness with long life, thanks to a new self-sharpening ceramic grain and a clogging resistant coating. The ceramic grains of Galaxy are engineered to stay sharp, as new abrasive edges are formed continuously during the sanding process, enabling Galaxy to continue cutting – from edge to edge.
The edge wear resistance of Galaxy is perfect for challenging wooden surfaces in terms of cutouts and sharp corners. We recommend using Galaxy if the wooden surface is already oiled and the purpose is maintaining the surface.
Overall, it is important not to sand with too fine grits, because this closes fibres in the wood which results in the oil or wax not penetrating the surface. We recommend using P120-150 grit for surfaces such as flooring and P150-180 grit for finer surfaces such as furniture, depending on guidance from the oil manufacturer.
Please always follow the oil or wax manufacturer’s recommendations.
Wood oiling
Oiling With High-End Result
Apply oil with a pad (instead of using a brush)
- The oil or wax can be applied directly onto the wooden surface with an oiling pad instead of a brush. Mirka's Oiling Pads are the perfect accessories for wood oiling as they don't absorb the coating material like traditional brushes or rags. By using the oiling pads either for hand sanding or together with Mirka® DEROS sander, you will get a more even spread of the wax or the oil, which will penetrate deeper into the wooden surface.
- Apply 1-4 layers of coating depending on the quality you would like to achieve. Several steps give you a finer result. We recommend you follow the instructions defined by the oil manufacturer.
- Depending on which oil manufacturer is used:
- Alternative 1: Apply oil or wax with Mirka Oiling Pads with a Mirka® Net interface on Mirka® DEROS sander. Use without dust extraction or attach a vacuum block disc for optimal oiling results.
- Alternative 2: Apply with Mirka Oiling Pads by hand.
- Process properly over the whole surface, do not let the surface dry.
- Clean the surface with a cloth.
- Apply more coating (if the manufacturer recommends).
Maintaining the wooden surface
Recoating
Taking care of your wooden surfaces and accessories is time well spent. With the right tools and proper methods, maintenance doesn’t take long, and in return, you extend the usability and lifespan of your wooden surfaces.
Sanding and Recoating
For sanding before recoating, we recommend Mirlon Total® or Galaxy.
Mirlon Total is a three-dimensional Total Coating™ fiber sanding material that is easy to use on profiled surfaces and produces a dense scratch pattern and rapid results.
Galaxy is perfect for challenging wooden surfaces with a lot of dust and other types of waste because of its self-sharpening ceramic grain and a clogging resistant coating.
- Alternative 1: Sand with Mirlon Total VF 360. Mirlon VF 360 can be used either as hand sanding or with a DEROS or LEROS-S and a Mirka® Net interface .
- Alternative 2: Sand with Galaxy, Iridium (or Abranet) P400 or P500 using a DEROS or LEROS-S sander.
Applying new oil
- Apply a new layer of coating using a Mirka Oiling Pad. You can apply the oil by hand or use the oiling pads with a Mirka® Net interface and a Mirka® DEROS sander. If you use an electric sander, remember to turn off dust extraction or attach a vacuum block disc for optimal oiling results.
- Repeat these steps as many times as needed.
Recommended products
Sustainable Woodwork Maintenance
For the perfect high-end finish, we recommend using the following Mirka products:
- Mirka ® DEROS (150mm, 125mm or 77mm depending on the size of the surface)
- Mirka ® LEROS-S (for larger surfaces)
- Mirka Oiling Pads
- Hand block
- Dust extractor
- Mirka Abranet®, Iridium or Galaxy
- Mirka Mirlon Total®
- Microfiber cloth
- Net interface
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Save time and money – You can cut costs and reduce working hours
Why Choose Mirka?
Sand and polish safely without strain – Our tools and abrasives are ergonomic, efficient, and easy to use
Why Choose Mirka?
Improve the quality of work – The finish is excellent, with less effort
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