Frequently asked questions
Find quick answers to your questions about our wood products.
Can I use Prato-Verde oils by myself?
Absolutely! Prato-Verde natural oils for wood have been designed for home users. They are very easy to use, as they can be applied with cotton rags or with single use stain pads, and do not require any heavy equipment for sanding or polishing.
You only need to apply the oil to make it penetrate the wood and completely wipe off all remaining oil on the surface after 15 minutes. Wiping off all excess oil is of the utmost importance: There must remain no oil on the surface. Prato-Verde oils dry in less than 24 hours.
Review the application instructions on each product’s page or on their can.
You’ll be happily surprised with the results!
Do Prato-Verde oils remain sticky?
No, not at all. Prato-Verde oils for wood are self-drying, which means that they dry rapidly into a waterproof and abrasion resistant finish. They penetrate into the wood fiber and seals it without forming any film on the surface.
However, it is extremely important to wipe off any excess oil 15 minutes after application. If this step is neglected, this excess oil on the surface can leave a sticky film. This situation can arise 24 hours after application, which is the suggested drying time.
If this situation occurs, a new coat of oil needs to be applied and wiped off immediately. The new coat will dilute the previous one and get rid of the stickiness.
Do Prato-Verde oils protect wood against water?
Yes. Secondo, Brio and Pareo oils contain resins and waxes which, once dried, will seal wood pores. Wood pores must be completely sealed for wood to be fully protected.
Generally, the wood will be sealed in 2 or 3 oil applications. Very soft woods might require more coats than hard woods. You can refer to the Material calculator to validate the required quantity of oil for your project, depending on your type of wood.
For a surface which will be directly exposed to water, we recommend 3 coats of Secondo (indoors), or 2 coats of Pareo (outdoors).
How long until I'll have to sand my wood floor oiled with Secondo?
Never! However…
Usually, after 2 to 7 years, it will be necessary to reapply one coat of Secondo finishing oil and to let dry for 24 hours. You’ll easily notice when the floor needs a new coat: The finish will look dry, and the sheen will be spotty.
The time between applications of Secondo finishing oil will mostly depend on the abrasion level that your floor is subjected to. Is it a high traffic area, or seldom used? Do the users wear shoes? Are there dogs or other pets with claws? Many factors can have an impact on the finish’s durability.
Using Prato-Verde floor care products will increase the length of time before you need to apply a new coat of Secondo finishing oil.
What are Prato-Verde oils made of?
Prato-Verde oils for wood are mostly made from natural resins taken from vegetable oils (safflower, tung and linseed), isoparaffin (isoalkane, an odorless, refined solvent), iron oxides (for coloration), as well as a small quantity of siccatives, which speed up the drying process.
The content of each Prato-Verde oil is written on its can, as well as on its Technical Data Sheet.
Do Prato-Verde oils contain any VOCs?
Yes, Prato-Verde oils do contain Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs. The VOC quantity of each oil is clearly indicated on its can and its Technical Data Sheet.
VOCs are found in the solvents that are added to the oil. These solvent make oils much easier to apply and allow them to penetrate deeper into the wood.
Prato-Verde oils contain isoparaffin (isoalkane), a low reactive solvent which is much less harmful than others to the ozone layer. Isoparaffin is odorless and less toxic than aromatic solvents, often used for this type of product.
Can Prato-Verde oils be used on wood which will be in contact with food?
Once dry, worktops, countertops, kitchen island or tables finished with Prato-Verde oils do not emit VOCs and harden without emitting any odor.
There is no risk involved in using Prato-Verde oils on food contact surfaces.
My floor, which was finished with Secondo, is worn-out. What should I do ?
Secondo oil for wood floors is very durable and resistant, but unfortunately it is not eternal. When parts of the floor look worn-out, it’s time to refresh the finish.
To do so, clean the wood by using the Secondo Clean soap for wood. Two hours after the floor is dry, apply a coat of Secondo, and after 5 to 15 minutes, completely wipe off the excess oil with a clean, white cotton rag. Let dry for 24 hours.
Do Prato-Verde oils need to be polished?
It is not necessary to polish Prato-Verde oils.
However, for a high end finish over furniture, it is possible to proceed with a light sanding with a 800 grit sandpaper, #000000 steel wool or a 800 or 1000 grit abrasive pad between coats of Secondo.
How should I care for my wood floor that was finished with Uno and Secondo?
Regular care of oiled floors will extend the life of Prato-Verde finishes. Make sure that you regularly use Secondo Clean soap for oiled floors, since it cleans and hydrates oiled wood. To maintain the protection of oiled floor, it is recommended to use the Secondo Maintenance protector for oiled floors once a month, in alternance with Secondo Clean.
After a few years, it may be necessary to refresh the oil finish on your floor. However, it is not essential to do it immediately.
Can I apply Prato-Verde oils over a varnished surface?
No. Oils are generally designed to be applied on raw or stained wood. Varnishes completely seal wood surfaces and consequently, oils cannot penetrate it.
Can I apply Prato-Verde oils over a stained surface?
Prato-Verde oils are compatible with any water based stains, oils and solvents designed for interior use.
It is important to carefully follow the recommendations of the stain manufacturer and to let the stained surface dry 24 hours before applying a coat of Prato-Verde oil.
A coat of stain does not offer the same protection as a coat of oil.
Can I apply varnish over Prato-Verde oils?
After applying Prato-Verde oils, with the exception of the Pareo exterior oil, it is possible to apply varnish or water, solvent or oil based lacquer.
The oil must be completely dried (24 hours) before applying varnish or lacquer.
Can I thin your oils?
Prato-Verde oils are ready to use and should not be diluted.
Dilution with any thinner would denature the oil, making it less durable and increasing the drying time.
Can I mix your oils to obtain a custom color?
Color variants of a same product can be mixed together to obtain a custom color.
In order to reduce the intensity of a color, you can use the Natural color for Brio or Uno oils, and the colorless base for Pareo oil. It is important to keep in mind that the dye used in the oil plays a major role in weatherproofing wood. So in the case of Pareo, we recommend not thinning our exterior oil by more than 20%.
And don’t forget to carefully note the ratio for your custom color mix!
How should I clean my application tools?
After your project is completed, quickly clean all your application tools with Prato-Verde Tools Cleaner and Thinner.
Never wash rags or other fabric that have been used to apply oils. You must dispose of them in a secure fashion.
Used rags can spontaneously combust. After use, put them in water or dry them on a flat surface, and dispose of them.
What should I do with my used, oil soaked rags?
Do not reuse oil-soaked rags.
Used rags can spontaneously combust. After use, put them in water or dry them on a flat surface, and dispose of them.
How can I store my leftover Prato-Verde oils?
One of the most popular ways to keep oil leftovers for future use is to transfer the remaining quantity in the smallest possible metal or glass container. The less oxygen left in the container, the better the shelf life of your leftover.
An alternative is to use argon gas, such as Bloxygen. Argon is a non-toxic, odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. Since it’s heavier than oxygen, it will efficiently protect your oil.
It is also possible to apply a plastic film (e.g. Saran Wrap) over the oil in the container. However, the film should not let air through, so the film should be raised on the can’s edges. Since this method is tricky, it can be less reliable than others.
Can I use Brio oil for walls and ceiling on my floor?
Brio oil can be applied on floors and furniture. However, you’ll have to apply one to two coats of Secondo oil to maximize protection.
Do I have to reapply a coat of Uno coloring oil when refreshing my floor?
Generally, no. Uno is protected by Secondo, so only a coat of Secondo should be necessary to refresh the floor finish. Uno is permanent and does not need to be refreshed.
How should I refresh my walls treated with Brio?
Brio is very durable and should not require any maintenance before a decade.
In order to refresh the surface, you can clean the walls with Secondo Clean soap. Let dry for 2 hours and apply a coat of Brio.
If the color still looks good, you can apply a coat of Brio Natural color.
Can I apply Pareo oil on my new cedar patio?
Cedar, as all building timber, is sold at a moisture level too high (20-25%) to treat it immediately.
It is recommended to let the wood try for a year or at least wait until the moisture level is below 15% prior to finish your patio with Pareo oil.
Can I only apply the colorless base of Pareo?
Yes. However, the colorless base should only be used on exterior wood which is NOT exposed to sunlight.
Otherwise, two coats of a colored version of Pareo are required to offer sufficient protection, since it is the coloring dye in the product that protects against UV rays, which damage the wood overtime.
How many coats of Secondo should I apply?
On raw wood, 3 coats are generally enough. On wood which has already been treated with Uno, two coats will suffice.
It is possible to apply many additional coats. The floor might look better, but scratches will show more.
Can I apply Secondo oil over my pre-oiled wood flooring?
Yes.
Secondo is compatible with any brand of oil available on the consumer market or used in the pre-oiled flooring industry.
I have a question regarding Prato-Verde finishing oils, how can I contact you?
You can contact us by using our simple Contact form. Make sure that you provide us as much information as possible regarding your question: Context, wood essence, color, current finish, desired finish, etc.
We’ll be happy to get back to you at our earliest convenience.
