Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about SAICOS wood finishes? You’ll find answers here on everything from choosing the right wood oil or hardwax oil to proper application, care, and maintenance. Whether you’re finishing floors, furniture, butcher’s blocks, or outdoor projects, these FAQs will help you get the best results from your SAICOS products.
We recommend using only SAICOS Ecoline Ground Coat Colours to alter the colour of the floor. Apply this thinly with a Ecoline spring spatula and disperse. Allow to penetrate for 30 minutes and then buff with a white pad on a rotary buffer until cloudless and even. Dry in 3-4 hours, walkable after 8. ensuring good ventilation, and then finish with two thin coats of SAICOS Premium Hardwax-Oil (roll or brush applied) or Saicos Ecoline Hardwax Oil (buffer applied). If using other stains with SAICOS products, we strongly recommend undertaking a test application on a small area of wood.
The surface should be sanded following the grain of the wood and finished with 120 grit paper. Care should be taken to remove all scratch marks.
Unlike lacquers, damaged areas can be lightly sanded and retreated using SAICOS Hardwax-Oil without overlaps developing.
Because SAICOS Hardwax-Oil is a pure oil based product, it should not raise the grain and so sanding between coats is unnecessary, but a light scuffing to remove dust will insure smooth results.
Some timbers like Teak and Merbau are oily and will require a solvent wash to dry remove and oils prior to coating.
When you apply too much SAICOS Hardwax-Oil the drying time will be greatly extended. In such a case provide additional ventilation by opening windows and doors wherever possible as the product dries naturally by oxidation. Should damage occur to the surface while drying repair as described above.
If applied too thinly the wood may look dry or lifeless and it is possible it may watermark. If this happens check your application rate but in any case apply an additional thin coat of Saicos Hardwax Oil.
SAICOS products should dry within 3-8 hours. They dry by oxidation and absorption. Provide gentle warmth and, if possible, a good supply of fresh air by opening a window.
The floor can be used the day after the final coat is applied, although it will take up to 14 days for the surface to harden completely, so care needs to be taken during this period.
No, you do not need to polish the floor but it can be buffed with Wax Care Cleaner if needed.
Use either a soft hoover or duster. When necessary, the floor can be mopped with a damp mop. Add Saicos Wash Care to the mop water, diluted according to the instructions on the product. This has been specifically designed to work with our unique blend of oils and waxes, cleaning and replenishing without damaging the finished surface. Periodic maintenance should also be undertaken using Saicos Wax Care Cleaner. This product applies a new thin coat of oils and waxes, thereby cleaning and replenishing the surface.
No. SAICOS products are based on purified plant oils and waxes. The surface is safe for humans, animals and plants when dry.
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