Advantages of an oil or stain finish
- Prolongs lifespan
- Protects against the elements
- Protects against fine dust
- Helps maintain colour
- Enhances architectural aesthetics
Natural look
Colourless oil and stain fill the pores of the wood, providing optimal protection against moisture while leaving the grain of the wood clearly visible. This means that wood will retain a completely natural look after treatment with colourless oil. Please note that wood with a colourless oil finish will always develop a weathered grey patina when used outdoors
If you prefer to keep the original colour of the wood, choose a lightly pigmented oil for outdoor projects. Since each wood variety has its own natural colour, the choice of oil colour will depend on the type of wood you use. For example, to maintain the beautiful brown of our thermo ash, opt for a two-layer treatment using RMC Sunprimer HWP Look Ipé and RMC Hybrid Wood Protector Look Ipé. For a darker finish, we advise using RMC Sunprimer HWP Look Chocolat with RMC Hybrid Wood Protector Look Chocolat.
For indoor use, a colourless oil is generally enough to maintain colour, with just a single coat of oil needed to protect wood from greasy smudges and fingerprints.
Top trending colours
Black is hot
Black finishes are having a moment thanks to their ability to create a stylish and streamlined look and an aura of calm. Garden architects in particular are fond of black. The fresh tints of greenery and the colourful brilliance of flowers pop out against the backdrop of a black wooden gate, fence or exterior cladding. Shades of black are also turning up more frequently in interiors. Wood panelling for walls in black exudes chic, allowing the rest of the interior decor scheme to shine.
We can apply a black finish to thermo ash, thermo pine, Accoya and oak. A two-coat finish is advised for best results, with the choice of product depending on the desired intensity of colour. For example, RMC Sunprimer HWP Charcoal used with RMC Hybrid Wood Protector Black will give a less intense result than RMC Sunprimer HWP Black with RMC Hybrid Wood Protector Black. If you want to ramp up the intensity even further, feel free to ask us for advice.
Advice from our wood specialists
If black seems a little too hard as the foundation colour for your project, opt for charcoal. Also known as anthracite, this dark grey tint looks nearly black in just the right light, but gives a less stark impression than standard black.
Shades of grey
Untreated wood often weathers unevenly as the effects of weather conditions, dirt and UV rays affect only exposed sections. To complement our pre-weathering treatment, you may decide to opt for an additional oil finish. A single application of Rubio WoodCream Transparent #0 will ensure equal weathering over a period of about one year, with repeat application not generally required. Treatment with Rubio WoodCream Aged #2 immediately creates a light-grey tint, with repeat application recommended after one to two years.
Colourful trends
Oils and stains for wood are available in a rainbow of colours. Besides natural tints, black, charcoal and grey, we can also apply a wide range of unique and original colours to our many sustainable wood varieties. Both indoors and outdoors, these provide just as much protection against the elements and fine dust. With such a large assortment of colours to choose from, picking the right wood oil or stain for your project can be difficult. Please do not hesitate to ask us for any advice you may need. We monitor developments to ensure that we keep up with the latest colour trends. Ancient white, matcha green, olive green, dusty rose, ginger gold and ochre tints are among the most popular at present. Below, we present two examples of interior projects in thermal ash in which colour schemes have been chosen to complement interior decor themes.
Maintenance of oiled or stained wood
Depending on weather conditions and colour exterior wood cladding with an opaque oiled or stained finish will require follow-up treatment every three to five years.
How to maintain wood
- Step 1 – Clean
Remove dirt and green mould or algae easily with RMC Exterior Wood Cleaner.
- Step 2 – Treat
Apply a fresh coat of RMC Hybrid Wood Protector in the colour of your choice. For more intense colour, use RMC Sunprimer HWP to pre-treat wood after cleaning.
