canonical-vorhanden ·

HS Professional Oil vs. Project Oil: Siblings with Many Differences

While HS Professional Oil stands out with full High-Solid performance and efficiency - plus the option of hardener processing - Project Oil impresses with its self-penetration and easy application. Which wood finish is best suited to your woodworking projects? Find out more in this detailed blog post!

HS Professional Oil and Project Oil are siblings from the same OLI-NATURA product family and share the same high-quality oil blend. Both protect the wood from within without leaving a layer on the surface. However, they have different strengths - primarily due to their solids content:
  • HS Professional Oil: 100% solids content - solvent-free (High-Solid).
  • Project Oil: 60% solids content - solvent-based (Medium-Solid).

But what does this mean in practice?

WHAT IS THE SOLIDS CONTENT?

The solids content describes how much oil remains in the wood and cures after drying.

For HS Professional Oil, this means: 100% of the oil remains 100% in the wood - nothing evaporates. This means that one coat is usually sufficient to saturate and protect the wood.

Project Oil contains a proportion of medical-grade isoparaffin (medicinal benzine). This acts as a “transport aid” that draws the oil deep into the wood pores and makes application easier. After evaporation, the oil settles into the pores. A second coat ensures optimal pore filling and maximum protection.

Application differences & areas of use

The application of the two oils is tailored to their respective strengths:

HS Professional Oil
With 100% solids content, HS Professional Oil is ideal for flat, heavily used surfaces such as countertops, doors, stairs, or wood floors. It is even used on roller coating lines in the parquet industry, where packaging without blocking immediately after application is required. The oil is applied with a brush, roller, or spatula and then worked deeply into the wood by hand or machine using a beige massaging pad. After an exposure time of 30–60 minutes, the excess is polished off with a white polishing pad, and the surface is already fully impregnated after one coat. For heavily used surfaces, HS Hardener (10:1) can optionally be added.

Project Oil
The Project Oil impresses with its versatility and ease of application, making it ideal for series applications, smaller projects, or wooden pieces with complex geometries. It is applied with cotton pads, a brush, or roller, penetrates the wood on its own, and the excess can be easily removed with a cloth or polishing pad. With 60% solids content, one coat is sufficient for normally used furniture such as shelving. For more heavily used surfaces, such as stairs or tabletops, a second coat after drying overnight is recommended to fill the pores and perfect the protection.

Matte finish with intense enhancement

Both oils enhance the color and wood grain and provide a matte finish. On dark wood such as oak or walnut, they create a warm enhancement, while on light wood such as spruce, a yellowish tint may appear that not everyone likes. Special oils that minimize the yellowish tint are recommended in this case. Therefore, a test application in an inconspicuous area is advisable.

Tip from experience: Choose according to the project

When choosing between the solvent-free HS Professional Oil and the solvent-based Project Oil, various factors play a role: area of application, coverage, application preferences, and cost.

  • Project Oil: Project Oil is ideal especially for series manufacturers who produce tables, for example, and use cotton pads for surface treatment. It impresses with its high self-penetration and easy application, particularly on smaller objects or pieces of wood with complex geometries. Thanks to its solvent content, it is especially easy to apply and is suitable for projects where ease of handling plays a central role.
  • HS Professional Oil: Professionals in the premium sector, such as furniture manufacturers and flooring installers, prefer HS Professional Oil. With its 100% solids content and the option of processing it with hardener (mixing ratio 10:1), it meets the highest standards for durability, longevity, and efficiency. Thanks to its solvent-free technology, a single application is often sufficient, saving time and making it a particularly sustainable option.

Ultimately, it depends on your project’s requirements: Do you value the simplicity and flexibility of Project Oil thanks to its solvent content? Or do you prefer the efficiency and time savings of applying HS Professional Oil just once, even though its application technology is somewhat more demanding?

Both oils deliver impressive results - the decisive factor is which "brother" better suits your project. If you’re unsure, try the oils on a test board to find out which one better meets your needs. This way, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect solution for your next woodworking project!

Test it yourself!

Are you unsure which oil is right for your project? No problem - we’ll be happy to advise you! Just email us at faq@oli-lacke.de or call us: +49 (0) 37208/84-488. Prefer to test it yourself? Try our HS Professional Oil and Project Oil on a test board and find your perfect finish. Order now from our B2C Shop for private customers! Business customer? Register in our B2B Shop and secure exclusive business benefits.

For more tips and inspiration, simply follow us on our social media channels! This way, you’re always up to date and can start your next woodworking project with the perfect finish.

 

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