Stain & Finishing Oil - SFO
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Stain & Finishing Oil: The All-in-One Wood Finish
Transform and protect your wood in one easy step. Stain & Finishing Oil (SFO) is a professional-grade, all-in-one solution that serves as a wood conditioner, stain, and durable top coat.
This unique combination of natural oils and resins penetrates deep into the wood fibers, staining and sealing them simultaneously. The result is an incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, and waterproof finish that is perfect for high-traffic areas like tabletops, kitchen cabinets, and even flooring.
Unlike varnishes that form a film on the surface, SFO becomes a part of your wood. It accentuates the natural grain and beauty of your project, providing long-lasting protection from within.
Coverage Guide by Can Size
While actual coverage varies based on wood type and application, here is a general guide for raw, sanded wood:
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237ml (8oz): Covers approximately 45–75 sq. ft.
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946ml (Quart): Covers approximately 180–280 sq. ft.
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3.78L (Gallon): Covers approximately 720–1120 sq. ft.
Remember: Softer woods absorb more product (lower coverage), while hardwoods absorb less (higher coverage).
How Wood Type Affects Your Finish
The type of wood you’re using is key to the final outcome. We always recommend doing a test patch on a hidden area to ensure you love the look.
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Softwoods (Pine, Fir, Reclaimed Wood): These porous woods absorb more product, often resulting in a darker, more intense colour. You will likely have less excess oil to wipe away.
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Hardwoods (Maple, Oak, Birch): These woods have a tighter grain and absorb less product, leading to a lighter, more uniform finish. Expect to wipe away more excess oil after application.
How to Apply Stain & Finishing Oil
1. On Bare or Sanded Wood:
Correct preparation is essential for a beautiful, even finish. SFO acts as the conditioner, stain, and topcoat all-in-one.
Watch the full prep and application tutorial here
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Step 1: Apply SFO generously to properly sanded, raw wood.
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Step 2: Let it penetrate for 15-20 minutes.
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Step 3: Using a clean cloth, buff away all the excess oil from the surface.
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Step 4: For full protection and depth of colour, a minimum of two coats is required. Allow 9 hours of drying time between coats.
2. Over Previously Painted Surfaces (Faux Finishes):
Create stunning faux wood grain or aged effects over a painted base.
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Apply SFO in a very thin layer.
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Immediately buff off the excess to achieve your desired look. This method also increases the sheen and durability of the painted surface.
Watch How To Apply SFO Over Paint
Durability and Optional Top Coats
No additional topcoat is required. SFO is formulated for exceptional durability on its own.
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For Added Sheen & Durability: If you desire an even tougher finish for the highest-traffic surfaces (like floors or busy tables) or simply want more sheen, apply a final coat of our "Natural" SFO. It increases durability without altering the colour of your stain.
[Learn when and how to use 'Natural' SFO in this video] -
For Use Over Light & White Paint: Like all oil-based products, SFO may slightly yellow over time. This is often unnoticeable, but to preserve the pure colour of very light or white painted finishes, we recommend using one of our crystal-clear, non-yellowing water-based top coats, like Tough Coat™ or Ultra Guard™, over your paint before applying SFO as a decorative finish.
Creating Faux Finishes With SFO
These finishes are a great way to experiment and get beautiful faux finishes like the Pottery Barn Dupe. However, if you’re using Stain & Finishing Oil (SFO) 'off-label' for this look, keep in mind that it may require much longer dry and cure times compared to standard use. Patience is key to ensuring the best results!!
Learn More
For more inspiration, tips, and project ideas, check out our informative blog posts on SFO here.
| Application Tool | Brush, lint free rag, applicator pad |
| Location | Interior |
| Re-coat Time | 9 hrs |
| Top Coat | No additional top coat is required.- this is made strong enough for floors and table tops. However you may use wax or "Natural" colour Stain & Finishing Oil to increase the sheen but not deepen the colour. |
| Clean Up | Odourless Solvent |
| Coverage | 40-75 sq.ft. |
| Finish/Sheen | Matte to high sheen. Each additional layer and buffing increases the sheen. |
| Recommended Uses | Reclaimed wood, bare wood, table tops, floors, most any surface, painted finish or Milk Painted pieces. |
| Can Be Applied To | Use as a stain over raw or well-sanded wood; apply over painted surface for added sheen, glaze effect, or added protection; seal milk paint or other porous paint. Not recommended over light colours as it will yellow. |
| Can Be Painted Over | Once dried if over bare wood and only 1 coat applied, 10 days after for multiple coats applied . Test to ensure prior to tackling a full project. |
| How to Prep | Apply over any surface or top coat for desired effect except wax. |
| Cure Time | 7-10 Days |
| Maintenance/ Cleaning | Light cleaners, as they will strip away the natural oil. |
DIRECTIONS
DIRECTIONS
How To Use on Bare Wood : pour or brush onto evenly sanded surface, remove excess after 15-20 minutes.If desired, add a second coat after re-coat time for deeper colour or more sheen. The pigment in it stains your wood accentuating the grain. SFO is a combination of natural oils and resins that penetrate into wood fibres to create a durable, scratch-resistant, waterproof finish. It does not leave a surface film that sits on top, but instead soaks into and becomes a part of your wood.
If applying over Fusion Mineral Paint, remove excess immediately.
BENEFITS
BENEFITS
Use the Natural color over Fusion Mineral Paint™ colours to increase the sheen and offer superior durability, or brush on one of the pigmented colours and wipe off immediately for a beautiful, easy glaze effect. Our special blend is highly concentrated in pigment, so a little goes a long way. The 237 mL container will cover the same area as 1 litre of comparable stains.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What colours does it come in?
Natural (no pigment with a slight ageing effect); White; Driftwood (light grey); Cappuccino (dark brown); Golden Pine; Ebony (black)
What is the difference between this and other oil-based stains?
This stain is highly concentrated in pigment so that a little goes a long way - the small can of SFO that we sell goes just as far as the big cans of other brands. We use as little solvent as possible to reduce our VOC levels and reduce the odour of the product. We use many different natural oils to condition and protect the wood that it is applied to.
How do I increase the sheen?
Add more coats! You can recoat in about 6 hours. If you’re satisfied with the colour but want more sheen, add another coat of Natural.BLOG
I like the colour I have, but I think it needs more protection.
If you’re not satisfied with the level of protection you have, what you can do is either add another coat of SFO in Natural, or even add a coat of our Gel Stain & Topcoat in Patina.
How durable is it? Can I use it on my floors?
SFO is so durable, you can use it on your floors! It is mostly an oil product that soaks into wood, but it does have a bit of resin that sits on top and adds a protective barrier.
Is this food safe?
No. We advise against using this on surfaces that come into contact with food.
How do I avoid watermarks?
Watermarks are often caused by a surface that is not well sealed, which means that the product has not been properly applied or the surface has not been properly prepared.
It is important to properly prepare the surface to receive Stain and Finishing Oil. Degreasing or stripping and sanding down to the raw wood is necessary. When you have properly sanded the wood, finish with 120-grit sandpaper then you can apply the product.
It is important not to exceed two coats of SFO, as the wood is saturated after two coats, the additional coats will dry on the surface and it is this residue that can create watermarks.
Always use gentle soap for cleaning oiled wood, no degreasing products like dish soap. Renew the oil with a very light additional coat every year or 2 years depending on the use of the surface.
As with anything, extra protection of the surface during use with coasters and placemats certainly helps.
Can I use it over Fusion Mineral Paint?
Yes definitely! For this application, we suggest brushing or wiping on, and immediately removing the excess. It works well as a glaze or to add a beautiful sheen over the paint. Please be aware that the SFO, like all oil based products, does yellow over time and this will show up more dominantly over a white base.BLOG
Can I use Fusion Mineral Paint over it?
Once it is cured, in about 10-12 days.
What prep do I have to do?
As always, make sure you’re starting with a clean surface. For wood applications, we do recommend you at least scuff sand, if not sand down to raw wood. A finish with 220 grit is a great way to prepare raw wood for SFO. For an even application, ensure that the surface is sanded evenly with the same grit.
Do I need a top coat over this?
Nope! SFO has a built in resin topcoat. For extra protection, add another layer of Natural on top.
Can SFO be used outdoors?
No. SFO is an interior finish.
Can you mix me a custom colour?
The only colours available are the ones we list on our website - but you can layer different colours over-top of each other, or you can try mixing different SFO colours together before applying.
Read all about the most frequently asked questions on our FAQ page.
GETTING STARTED
Learn how to prep your furniture, apply our paint, choose a top coat or brush for your perfect project by checking our our free getting started guides.
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SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING & RETURN POLICIESWe strive to ship out every order within 2-3 days from ordering. If your order is placed before 10AM EST then consider that Day One. Please read more about our shipping policy here.
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PROJECT INSPIRATION
THE FUSION BLOGDiscover all the different ways Fusion Mineral Paint has been used in varying projects. Get ideas, learn techniques, and get inspired! Check out our Fusion blog right here.
