How to Use Walrus Oil Wood Finishes
WOOD PREPARATION
All hardwoods need to be properly kiln dried or air dried until moisture levels are under 10%. A higher moisture level will cause finishes to take much longer to dry.
To prevent raised grain, use the sand-wet-sand method before applying any finishes. Sand wood surface between 120 - 220, wet surface with water to raise the grain, let it dry, then sand surface again between 220 - 600 to remove the raised grain. The higher the sanding grit, the tighter the surface will seal and smoother the surface should feel.
APPLY FINISH
Basic application is almost the same for all of our finishes. Pour a small amount of oil or apply a pinch of wax directly to wood surface. Begin working it into the wood by hand with a rag or with an electric buffer until all surfaces are covered with a very thin layer. A little bit goes a long way, so start with small amounts and only apply more until all surfaces are covered.
START INITIAL CURING PROCESS
Before applying additional coats or other finishes, allow finish to start curing. For faster dry time you can mix a small amount of natural solvent with our finishes. Note, surface won't start to feel dry to touch until after buffing away excess residue, explained in next step.
Initial cure times before buffing away excess:
12 - 24 Hours - Cutting Board Oil
24 - 48 Hours - Furniture Finish, Furniture Butter, Cabin Walls & Hardwood Floors
15 Minutes - Wood Wax
1 Hour - Furniture Wax
BUFF AWAY EXCESS
An electric buffer is highly recommended with this step, especially with our wax products. Buff away any excess oil or wax residue for several minutes until surface feels relatively dry to touch. In most cases, surface should feel "mostly" dry to touch after buffing away excess, however you may feel a faint residue but no standing oil or wax.
APPLYING ADDITIONAL COATS OR OTHER FINISHES
If additional coats or other finishes are not needed, skip down to "Complete Curing Process".
When applying additional coats or other finishes, simply use the aforementioned steps above. Below is general recommendations on coats and which finishes you should use together.
Cutting Board Oil, 1 - 2 coats
- Use as standalone
- Before Wood Wax
Wood Wax for Cutting Boards, 1 coat
- Use after Cutting Board Oil
Furniture Finish, 1 - 2 coats
- Use as standalone
- Before Furniture Butter
- Before Furniture Wax
- Before Furniture Butter + Furniture Wax
Note, Furniture Finish is designed as a penetrating oil and is not a strong waterproofer on its own.
Furniture Butter, 1 - 2 coats
- Use as standalone
- Between Furniture Finish and Furniture Wax
- Before Furniture Wax.
Furniture Wax, 1 coat
Use after Furniture Finish and/or Furniture Butter
Cabin Walls and Hardwood Floors, 1 - 2 coats for indoor use, 2 - 4 coats for outdoor use.
For Stronger Water Protection:
Using our cutting board finishes
- 2 coats of Cutting Board Oil + 1 coat of Wood Wax
Using our furniture finishes (if wood is really thirsty start with 1 coat of Furniture Finish)
- 2 coats of Furniture Butter + 1 coat of Furniture Wax
COMPLETE CURING PROCESS
Cutting Board Oil, Wood Wax
Since these finishes are non-polymerizing, they should feel relatively dry to touch within a week, however they are not designed to completely cure.
Furniture Finish, Furniture Butter, Furniture Wax, Cabin Walls & Hardwood Floors
Depending on temperature and humidity levels, dry times can differ dramatically. In most cases wood should feel dry to touch within a week, but can take up to 4 weeks to scientifically cure. Therefore we recommend keeping the wood away from water contact for 4 weeks. As mentioned before, you can speed up cure times by mixing our finishes with a small amount of natural solvent.
