Azobe oil: how to preserve the color and quality of the wood
Azobe wood is extremely strong, but it needs a specific treatment. Discover why oil is a good fit and how to protect azobe wood properly.
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Azobe is a strong hardwood with a dense structure and is often used for durable applications such as fences, decking, facades and azobe posts. Thanks to its long service life, it is ideal for outdoor use. But even this hard wood needs maintenance. By treating it properly with a suitable azobe oil, you protect it against moisture, discoloration and UV radiation. In this tutorial, you will discover how to treat azobe wood effectively, what you need and how to get the best result.
Preparation: treating azobe wood with oil
Preparation: treating azobe wood with oil
Good preparation is essential to treat your azobe wood the right way. Depending on the current condition of the wood, follow one of the steps below:
1. Maintenance or re-oiling
Has your azobe wood been treated with an Osmo product before? Then sanding is usually not necessary. Simply clean the surface with Osmo Terrasreiniger. Once it has dried, you can apply a new coat of the same oil right away for optimal protection.
2. Untreated wood
Has the wood never been treated? Then you can treat it with a suitable oil after cleaning. Note: leave new wood outside for at least 4 to 6 weeks so it can weather. This opens up the surface and lets natural substances leach out, so the oil adheres better and the maintenance interval is extended. After this period, you can remove any graying with Power-Gel if needed and then oil the wood.
3. Removing graying from weathered wood
Has the wood lost its original color due to UV radiation or rain? Restore the natural color with Osmo Power-Gel Houtontgrijzer:
- Apply the Power-Gel with a brush
- Let it work for 20 minutes
- Scrub the surface thoroughly with a terrace brush and rinse with water
- Then let the wood dry for at least 24 hours before treating it
Never use a pressure washer. It damages the wood fibers, causing the wood to absorb moisture more quickly and turn gray again.
Video: Azobe oil
In this video you will see how to oil decking.
Terras oliën: zo zet je jouw vlonder in de olie
Step-by-step plan: treating azobe wood with oil
Once your wood is clean and dry, you can start treating it. Follow these steps for optimal protection:
Choose the right oil
For the best results, always use an oil that suits your wooden surface:
Decking and terraces: use Osmo Terras-Olie, a product specially developed for horizontal wooden surfaces.
Fences, cladding or doors: choose Osmo UV-Beschermingsolie, which protects against UV radiation and helps delay visible discoloration. This oil is specially developed for vertical wooden surfaces.
Both products are based on natural oils and waxes and allow the wood to keep breathing.
Apply a thin coat of oil
Use a brush or microfiber roller to apply a thin coat of oil in the direction of the wood grain. With a dense wood structure like azobe, it is important not to apply the product too thickly: a thin coat prevents the oil from drying on the surface. Let the coat dry for 12 to 24 hours.
Apply a second coat
Osmo products are two-coat systems, so two coats are necessary. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat for long-lasting protection. This increases the protection against moisture and UV radiation. Want extra safety on a terrace or staircase? Then apply Osmo Anti-Slip Terras-Olie as the second (top) coat.
Benefits of Osmo oil
By treating azobe wood with Osmo, you make sure it keeps its natural look and can withstand the weather. Our oil penetrates the wood and does not seal it the way varnish does. This keeps the wood structure visible and lets the wood keep ‘moving’.
A few benefits at a glance:
- Protection against moisture, dirt and UV radiation
- Preserves the natural color and wood grain
- No more sanding needed for maintenance treatments
- Environmentally friendly: based on natural oils
- The best choice for hardwoods such as azobe, bankirai and teak
Supplies
Color examples
Osmo Terras-Olie and Osmo UV-Beschermingsolie are available in various colors that match popular wood species. For example, you can choose a teak color, bankirai, natural or even colorless. Note: a colorless oil offers less protection against UV radiation. Want to delay discoloration for as long as possible? Then always choose an oil with color pigment.
UV-Beschermingsolie: for vertical wooden surfaces
Terras-Olie: for horizontal wooden surfaces
Maintenance advice
A well-maintained piece of azobe wood can easily last 25 years or longer. You can achieve that with these maintenance tips:
- Clean the wood twice a year with Osmo Terrasreiniger (spring and fall)
- Check every year whether a new coat of oil is needed
- If graying is visible, clean first with Osmo Power-Gel Houtontgrijzer
Frequently asked questions about azobe wood
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