Tips from Osmo: treating plywood

Once you have purchased plywood sheets and chosen the color and appearance of the treatment, it is also useful to know how to apply the products to the plywood.

1. Stir the product well for 2 minutes. After opening the can, the oil, wax, and color pigments have separated. Always perform a test on the surface first to check if the result has the desired effect.

2. Apply the first coat to the plywood using a brush or microfiber roller on the new or sanded plywood.
3. Mistakes made during application can be corrected on the wet surface up to 15 minutes after application. Think of roller marks or brush hairs.

4. The drying time for the first coat is approximately 8-12 hours (at 23 degrees and 50% relative humidity). Drying takes longer at lower temperatures or higher humidity. Ensure good ventilation at all times. Therefore, make sure windows and doors are open. 5. Apply the second finishing coat. Apply this in the same way as the first coat.
6. Drying time: approx. 8-12 hours; see point 4.

Painting plywood ensures that the color of the plywood disappears. Painting applies an opaque layer in a color of your choice. For an opaque product for indoor plywood, Osmo Decorwas Creativ can be used. This oil and wax combination creates an opaque effect on plywood. The wood grain remains visible. After treatment, the wood is protected against moisture and dirt.

Painting plywood for outdoor use
For plywood that will be placed outdoors, Osmo Landhuisverf can be used for an opaque effect. This oil-based paint is available in 21 different colors and protects the panels against moisture, mold, and algae.

When staining plywood, a transparent layer is applied, with or without color. For plywood used indoors, such as a kitchen countertop or door, you can use Osmo Hardwax Oil. The colorless variant (Original) colors the plywood as if it were wet, making it slightly darker. For colored variants, Hardwax Oil Farbig can be used. This hardwax oil is available in 7 different colors. It colors the wood with a transparent appearance rather than being opaque. Additionally, the Hardwax Oil offers protection against moisture, dirt, and stains.

For staining panels used outdoors, Osmo Natural Oil Stain is the right product. This stain can be applied to all exterior wood. This stain is available in 19 colors and 1 colorless matte variant. The stain is based on plant-based and natural ingredients and protects the plywood against moisture, dirt, and mold. Staining plywood black
When you want to stain the wood black, you can use Natural Oil Stain 712 Ebony for a transparent black color. For an opaque black color, you can use Osmo Country House Paint RAL 9005 Jet Black.

Do not: varnish plywood
With varnish, you apply a layer to the plywood; this seals the wood and prevents it from breathing. The disadvantage of this is that when the wood expands and contracts, the varnish layer will crack. Also, varnish is not made from natural and plant-based ingredients. This is the reason why Osmo Netherlands does not sell varnishes.

Our advice: wood is a natural product; treat and care for the wood with a natural product as well.

Water-repellent by treating plywood with Osmo
By treating the plywood with one of Osmo's products, the wood is protected against moisture such as water, coffee, and wine. Due to the water-repellent additive added to the products, moisture remains on the wood like a water bead and cannot penetrate the wood. However, the wood can continue to breathe and expand without the treatment cracking or peeling.

Which types of wood can be treated?
For the multiplex that can be used outdoors, the type of wood does not matter for the treatment. Both Osmo Natural Oil Stain (transparent) and Osmo Country House Paint (opaque) are suitable for treating all types of exterior wood.

For indoor use, not all wood types can be treated with every product. Hardwood plywood consists of panels made up of multiple layers of tropical hardwood veneer. Variants containing white pigment cannot be applied to these hardwoods, such as Okoumé and Meranti. Hardwax Oil Matt 3062 also cannot be applied to hardwoods, as it may turn white on these wood types. Furthermore, it is always advisable to test the products first before treating the entire panels. Testing can be done using Osmo test packs.
For other wood types, such as birch, beech, and oak, all Osmo indoor products can be applied. However, testing is always recommended here as well to avoid any surprises.