The European style oil finish provided by WOCA of Denmark will both penetrate and harden to achieve a very wear resistant finish, which is easily applied and maintained. This type of oil finish has been manufactured in Europe for over 30 years and is currently used on almost a third of all wood floors sold in Europe. WOCA is one of the oldest and most respected of the European manufacturers of wood floor oil finishes. WOCA is also the largest and the only one to offer a complete package solution for all wood floor oil finishing needs, repair and maintenance.(More)

Why use an oil finish? Until a few years ago most wood floors in America were finished with fairly high levels of gloss. Waxes and urethane top coating systems were used to protect the floor and to achieve these levels of gloss  As wood floor customers have come to desire more of a natural look in their floors that complements the natural beauty of wood, gloss levels have been reduced to a satin or even matt look. With the advent of older looking floors, such as scraped or antiqued floors, less gloss has become even more important in an attempt to achieve a natural, “old world” look. An oil finished floor provides the most natural look of any wood floor finish. An oil finish also tends to make some floors look “old”, as if they had been installed for a very long time. Prior to the use of various urethane and similar finishes, oil was the traditional finish of choice. In Europe, where this traditional natural look has been in demand for quite some time, oil finishes account for almost a third of all wood floor finishes.

Since an oil finish actually penetrates, and becomes a part of the surface of a wood floor, it is not nearly as sensitive to scratches and wear as a urethane finish. As it not only penetrates, but also hardens, a WOCA oil finish provides very good protection, is easy to maintain and, if done properly, will prevent a wood floor from ever having to be sanded.

Should I use oil on my floor? If you like the older, more natural look, a WOCA oil finish of your wood floor should definitely be considered. WOCA oil finishes are also great if you expect a lot of wear on your floor. The level of wear can range from a household pet to having thousands of people a week walk across your floor in a commercial establishment. If you like the fact that a WOCA oil finished floor can be spot treated where needed, as needed, instead of having to be fully sanded and refinished, you may want to consider the WOCA Oil finishing system.

WOCA oils, containing primarily cold pressed linseed oil and aromatic hardening oils, penetrate into the surface of the wood floor and, as they cure, harden to form a very protective surface that becomes part of the wood floor. This means that normal wear and tear, such as small scratches and indentations, do not show up as much as on a floor with a urethane finish. The oil finish will also let the wood floor breathe through its surface, not just along its edges. Normal cleaning is easy using WOCA soap, simply mixing it with warm water and mopping the floor periodically. As the floor is being cleaned, it is also given added protection against wear and tear. The WOCA soap contains soy and coconut fats, which dry as an invisible film on the surface of the floor and give it added protection. As a result, wood floors finished with WOCA oil finish are not in need of any fancily worded finish warranties. Periodic cleaning and maintenance will make it unnecessary to ever screen or sand your wood floor.

 WOCA oil finishing products are constantly researched and improved at the manufacturer’s own laboratories in Denmark, always meeting the highest possible environmental standards. WOCA wood care products are also approved and certified by independent laboratories, such IBR, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN-Norm 53-160. WOCA products also meet or exceed the most stringent VOC (volatile organic compounds) regulations in North America.

 In addition to wood floor oil finishes, WOCA also manufactures a full range of products for use on wood counter tops, indoor and outdoor furniture, wooden decks and patios, as well as for indoor and outdoor wood or log siding. Outdoor oil products contain UV-inhibitors in order to minimize the effects of exposure to ultra violet light.

Oil Finish With WOCA Wood Care Products General Information

 Oil finishing of wood flooring is a finishing method well suited to public spaces such as museums, offices, stores, restaurants, and hotels, where excessive wear is expected. Due to its beautiful surface look, oil finished floors also have their place in private homes.

 WOCA wood care products are suitable for all wood floors. These are constantly improved and tested at the manufacturer’s own laboratories in Denmark, always meeting the highest possible environmental standards. WOCA wood care products are also approved and certified by independent laboratories, such as IBR, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, in Rosenhiem, Germany, as well as in accordance with DIN-Norm 53-160.

 WOCA oil penetrates the pores of the wood, where it hardens, preventing dirt, liquids, grease, and similar substances from penetrating into the wood surface. It is very important to distinguish between hardening oil and non-hardening oil. Non-hardening oil, such as tung oil, leaves the pores of the wood open and the floor unprotected against dirt and does not dry. Hardening oil is composed of various vegetable alkyd oil components dissolved in de-aromatized white spirit, in this case isoparapfine. WOCA produces only hardening oils. The relation between solvent and solid matter content varies from product to product. The higher the solid matter content the better the product. For WOCA Master oil the solid matter is 6o per cent, which is very high. WOCA Maintenance Paste contains 75% solids. And, to top it off, WOCA High Solid Master Oil contains 91% solids. Upon application, the oil penetrates into the surface of the wood floor, where it hardens within the pores of the wood. This hardening is what provides such excellent protection against extreme wear.

 As the applied oil finish becomes part of the wood floor wear surface, scratches and wear show much less than those on a floor with a hard finish. A properly maintained oil finished floor will likely never need to be refinished, since periodic cleaning and maintenance will rejuvenate the floor surface and bring it back to its former look. An oil finished floor initially requires slightly more maintenance than a prefinished floor, but will in turn provide a wearable and attractive surface, where the grain and texture of the wood is enhanced.

 Application of Oil

 A. On unfinished floors

After sanding, screening, and cleaning the newly installed floor, it is time to apply  WOCA Master oil in natural, white or any of the eight other colors. The tools needed for this are; a buffer or polishing machine (150-200 rpm), red and white 3M-type polishing pads, lint free cotton cloths (WOCA Polishing Cloth works extremely well), short nap paint roller, paint tray, acid proof wide squeegee, and extension handle for paint roller and squeegee.

Before commencing oil application, the wood floor should be cleaned with WOCA Wood Cleaner. The cleaner contains water based ionic and non-ionic suffactants, complex binder, and carbamide. When cleaning the floor, always work with two buckets, one with cleaning solution and one for rinse water. Mix the cleaner with lukewarm water in solution 1:40. (This equates to 1-1/2 cup for four gallons of water. Prepare 1 quart of cleaner/water solution for every 100 sq.ft. of flooring to be cleaned.) Using the mop, wash floor lengthwise along the wood grain. This cleaning removes any dust particles left over from the sanding. The damp mopping also opens the pores of the wood, allowing more oil to penetrate the surface.

Dip mop in cleaning bucket, squeeze the water out of it and clean a portion of the floor. Rinse mop in rinse bucket, squeeze the water out of it, then dip into cleaning bucket and repeat process. Change rinse water often. It is important not to use excess cleaning water on the wood floor, since this will prolong drying time. Always wipe up any excess water when cleaning floor.

1. Allow the floor to dry completely. This normally takes one to two hours, sometimes longer, depending on jobsite conditions. Too much water use may significantly prolong drying time. The floor must be totally dry before oil finishing is begun, otherwise mildew may form in the moisture trapped under the oil.
2. Pour Master Oil onto the first section of floor. Treat only 100 to 150 sq.ft. at a time, since any more will be difficult to handle. Use paint roller to apply an even layer of oil on the floor surface. For hard to reach corners the squeegee or a paint brush can be used. Any of the color oils must be shaken well before application. Note! In connection with certain hardwoods with a dense pore system, it may be advantageous to dilute the oil with WOCA Solvent. It is, of course, possible to walk on the floor during this application.
3. Leave the Master Oil on the floor for approx. 15 to 30 minutes, depending on temperature and moisture levels. If any spots start to dry out, apply more Master Oil.
4. First application of Master Oil.  Using a 150-200 RPM buffer with a red pad, the Master Oil is polished wet into the pores of the wood. Continue polishing until the floor is saturated with oil. Excess oil is either scraped off the floor, using a squeegee, onto the next section to be treated or removed with a cloth. No wet oil spots must be left on the floor. Consumption: 1 ltr. to 100 – 140 sq.ft.
5. After polish of Master Oil. Replace the used red pad with a clean white pad. Immediately after the first polish start the second polishing. Polish the entire floor until the floor exhibits an even surface without leaving any excess oil on the floor.
6. Allow the applied WOCA Master Oil to pre-harden for at least 6 hours.
7. First application of Maintenance Paste. A minimum of two applications of  Maintenance Paste is recommended to achieve an even build-up of oil and a low, moisture repellant sheen. First application is done using a Polishing Cloth or a lint free cloth under a white pad. Using a white pad and cloth, polish the floor until the surface feels almost dry to the touch. To determine that enough paste has been applied, rub your finger tips along the surface of the floor. You should be able to see a thin film of oil on your fingers. For best result, spread a small amount of Paste on the floor with a piece of white pad before using the buffer.
8. Allow the Maintenance Paste to pre-harden for at least 4 hours.
9. Second application of Maintenance Paste. This is a repeat of the first application. To obtain more of a burnishing effect for a slightly higher sheen, polish the maintenance paste with a white pad only. Apply approx. 1.5 oz.(40 ml) of Maintenance Paste to the polishing pad per 100 sq.ft. of flooring. In order to ensure a hard wearing floor in public areas such as offices, shops, and hotels, the application of Maintenance Paste may be repeated as many times as necessary to achieve desired effect. Consumption: 400 ml to 850-1300 sq.ft.

11.  Stay off the floor for at least 12 hours (light use) or 24 hours (heavy use) after the last application of Maintenance Paste, allowing the full hardening process of the oil  to take place. Dirt and, especially, water should be kept off the floor during this time. If limited foot traffic is necessary, cover the floor in full or in part. WOCA Soap may be applied to the floor after 36 hours for additional protection in the form of a dirt resistant film (see maintenance). When using Master Color Oil no water should be used in cleaning for at least 14 days.

 Warning!!  Burn or wash oil soaked rags etc. after use to prevent self-ignition.

Maintenance Of Oil Finished Flooring - General Information

Periodic maintenance is a necessity in order to ensure a long lasting and nice looking wood floor. The cleaning and maintenance products by WOCA are well suited for this purpose. They are also environmentally friendly and easy to work with. A properly maintained oil finished floor will keep looking new and scratches and scuff marks disappear every time the floor is cleaned and re-oiled. How often does a floor need to be cleaned with soap? When it’s dirty!

 A. Cleaning

Normal daily or weekly cleaning is done by vacuuming or dry mopping grit, dust etc. When required, mopping with WOCA Soap may be done. In public areas with heavy wear and dirt accumulation, daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning is also done by using WOCA Soap. The soap contains soy and coconut fat in combination with potassium hydroxide. This not only cleans the floor, but leaves a thin film, which helps protect the floor surface. For floor cleaning, two plastic buckets are needed as well as a good quality self-twisting string mop and/or a self-wringing sponge mop with scrubbing pad.

1. When cleaning the floor with WOCA soap, always work with two buckets, one with soap solution and one for rinse water. Mix the soap with lukewarm water in solution 1:40. (This equals 1/3 cup for every gallon of water.) Using the mop, wash floor lengthwise along the wood grain. For very dirty floors a solution of 1:30 or 1:20 may be used. Dip mop in cleaning bucket, squeeze the water out of it and clean a portion of the floor. Rinse mop in rinse bucket, squeeze the water out of it, then dip into soap bucket and repeat process. Change rinse water often. It is important not to use too much water on the wood floor, since this will prolong drying time. Just enough to dissolve dirt is desirable. Always wipe up any excess water when washing floor.  Leave the soap solution briefly on the surface of the wood floor in order to dissolve heavy dirt.

 On certain species the soap cleaning may leave too much of a film, showing footprints. Therefore, when cleaning hardwood floors and dark softwood floors, use a mixture of 1:40, unless the floor is very dirty. In many large commercial areas this work can be done using combination cleaning machines.

1. Allow floor to dry thoroughly before using it.

B. Re-oiling

As the floor surface takes on a dry and dull look, it is time to clean and re-oil the floor. How often this needs to be done depends entirely on the wear. Normal rooms in a home may need re-oiling only once every two years, whereas the kitchen may need it every year. Certain

commercial areas, such as heavy use stores and restaurants, may require re-oiling four or more times per year. Surfaces with less wear can be oiled with longer intervals, since it is not necessary to re-oil the entire floor every time. Cleaning and re-oiling of large commercial

areas are normally done using maintenance machines. For floor cleaning, two plastic buckets are needed as well as a good quality self-twisting string mop and/or a self-wringing sponge mop with scrubbing pad. Oil polishing is preferably done using a 150-200 RPM buffer.

1. Prior to re-oiling the floor it must be cleaned with WOCA Wood Cleaner. The cleaner contains water based ionic and non-ionic suffactants, complex binder, and carbamide. When cleaning the floor, always work with two buckets, one with cleaning solution and one for rinse water. Mix the cleaner with lukewarm water in solution 1:40. Using the mop, wash floor lengthwise along the wood grain. Apply to floor and leave for approx. 5 minutes to dissolve dirt. Scrubbing may be necessary. For tough stains, this process can be repeated as required, possibly using a stronger solution. For very dirty floors a solution of 1:30 or 1:20 may be used.

Dip mop in cleaning bucket, squeeze the water out of it and clean a portion of

the floor. Rinse mop in rinse bucket, squeeze the water out of it, then dip into cleaning bucket and repeat process. Change rinse water often. It is important not to use too much cleaning water on the wood floor, since this will prolong drying time. Just enough water to dissolve dirt is desirable. Always wipe up any excess water when washing floor

For stains that will not come out even after repeated scrubbings with cleaner, it is possible to lightly sand the spot until clear wood is obtained and then re-oiling it. The wood cleaner dissolves and removes all soap residue along with any dirt, leaving the wood floor clean and ready to be re-oiled.

1. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly. With normal water consumption, this should take  one to two hours, but could, in some cases, take considerably longer.
2. First application of Maintenance Paste. Using a polishing machine with a white pad, or a WOCA Polishing Cloth wrapped around the pad, start polishing by adding a small amount of WOCA Maintenance Paste to the new pad or to the floor. Polish the floor until the floor exhibits an even surface that feels almost dry to the touch. Add paste to pad or floor as needed. To determine that enough paste has been applied, rub your finger tips along the surface of the floor. You should be able to see a thin film of oil on your fingers. Note! In connection with certain hardwoods with a dense pore system, it may be advantageous to dilute the oil with WOCA Solvent. Consumption: 400 ml to 850 – 1300 sq.ft.
3. Second application. This may not be necessary, but will depend on the wear of the floor. Before a possible second application, the applied paste must be allowed to pre-harden for at least 6 hours. Repeat the first application. Apply approx. 1.5 oz.(40 ml) of Maintenance Paste per 100 sq. ft. of flooring. In order to ensure a hard wearing floor in public areas such as offices, shops, and hotels, the application of Maintenance Paste may be repeated as many times as necessary to achieve desired effect. Consumption: 400 ml to 850-1300 sq.ft.
4. Stay off the floor for 12 hours (light use) or 24 hours (heavy use) after the last application of Maintenance Paste, allowing the full hardening process to take place.

Note! Any time Wood Cleaner has been used the floor must be re-oiled.

 Warning!!  Burn or wash oil soaked rags etc. after use to prevent self-ignition.

It is important that no excess oil is allowed to dry on the surface of the floor. The oil will harden and become difficult to remove, likely requiring a sanding of the floor. However, as long as the oil has not yet fully hardened, follow the directions below:

When a large area is affected, use a polishing machine with a green or black pad. Apply WOCA Solvent to pad or to floor surface. A spray bottle may be used. Polish the floor surface with this coarse pad and solvent to dissolve the hardened excess oil. Should the area in question be small or limited, the polishing may be done by hand using a hand scrubber with a green or black pad.

1. Mount a lint free cloth to the polishing pad. Polish the area in question to remove the excess oil and solvent. In a small area, simply wipe up the oil and solvent with a lint free cloth.
2. Let floor dry completely.
3. Clean the floor by mopping it with WOCA Wood Cleaner. The self-twisting string mop should be hard wrung. Follow previously described directions for floor cleaning.
4. Let floor dry completely.
5. Apply WOCA Maintenance Paste and polish it into the floor with a white pad, whether using a polishing machine or buffing by hand. Remove any excess paste with a lint free cloth by polishing or hand buffing.

 The Importance of WOCA Wood Cleaner

 Cleaning the floor

The application instructions for the WOCA oil finishing system states that the unfinished or factory oil finished floor should be cleaned with WOCA Wood Cleaner before any oil is applied. There are several reasons for this. The cleaning solution not only cleans the floor, but it helps to open the wood grain, which allows more oil to penetrate the surface. It also helps to remove or neutralize floating pigments in species such as merbau as well as tannic acid in white oak, which may otherwise prolong curing times and not give the floor as much protection as it should have.

It is always important to thoroughly wash every unfinished floor with WOCA Wood Cleaner once prior to application of oil. Some species such as merbau, which contain considerable amounts of floating pigments, should always be cleaned twice. This will remove more surface pigments, as evidenced by the rinse water, which quickly turns very dark.

 What are the symptoms of improper floor cleaning?

In the case of a floor such as merbau or white oak not being thoroughly cleaned with WOCA Wood Cleaner, water spots may appear to a varying degree. These spots tend to look slightly opaque and appear because the oil cover contains floating pigments or tannic acid. A properly cleaned and oiled floor should not show such spots.

What is the solution?

If these spots show up on a wood floor that has already been oil finished, we recommend to treat the floor as follows:

Apply WOCA Wood Cleaner on an area of the floor in solution 1:40, using a mop or a sponge, 50 to 100 sq.ft. is recommended. Leave solution on the floor 1 to 2 minutes.

1. Using a polishing machine with a red pad, start buffing the solution into the floor.
2. After buffing, remove any excess solution or moisture with a mop.
3. In order to speed up drying time and to remove all possible solution from the floor, attach a cotton cloth under the red pad and continue buffing the floor visibly dry.
4. Let floor dry completely. This may take 3 to 4 hours.
5. Apply a coat of WOCA Master Oil or Maintenance Paste by buffing it into the floor. Please follow instructions for the application of these products.
6. Wait 4 to 6 hours for the coat to pre-harden.
7. Apply one more coat of WOCA Master Oil or Maintenance Paste.
8. After 24 hours the floor is ready to be treated with WOCA Soap.