What is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is an ideal sealant and this stuff is magic! If you desire a buttery smooth finish with a tenacity that rivals poly for protection and is even suitable for outdoor furniture, hemp oil may be your best option.
Hemp Oil is a rich natural hemp colour that can range from rich olive oil to amber depending on the season it was collected in. This makes it suitable for colours besides white since it can antique or discolour whites lightly (Unless you are going for that look then go for it!).
Hemp oil is a natural fungicide with anti-microbial properties that richens wood and makes a killer strong paint sealant. Hemp oil is great for rehydrating, protecting and richening raw wood, sealing stained pieces instead of using a polyurethane, shining up wood sealed with a poly, or removing patina from hardware.
If using hemp oil on a heavily distressed piece, you will find it penetrating through the wood finish beneath and adding richness and beauty to it. The key to finishing a painted piece with hemp oil is wet sanding.
How do I "wet sand' with Hemp Oil?
This process cuts out a couple of steps since you are sanding, distressing, and sealing in a single step.
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Once your paint is fully dry apply hemp oil in small sections. You may apply with a paintbrush, or a sock, apply directly on the sanding block or paper, or squirt right on your painted piece.
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Once applied, sand the oil into the surface of the paint working in circles. If a distressed finish is desired, use the hemp oil and sandpaper to remove paint where you would like to distress. This can create a dimensional look unlike sanding alone.
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Once you have sanded, buff well with a lint-free cloth. Make sure to remove all surface hemp oil until it no longer feels tacky or wet at all.
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The hemp oil will harden within the paint within 14 to 30 days. The process of curing happens as the oil emulsifies with the paint and becomes hard similar to tung oil. The advantage of Hemp Oil over tung oil is doesn't spoil over time.
TROUBLESHOOTING
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If you leave too much hemp oil on the surface, it will become sticky as it cures and hardens.
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If any part of the finish looks uneven, then the hemp oil was not able to fully saturate the paint. Just apply a little more, sand lightly and buff off. A little goes a long way but you want to make sure the paint and wood can absorb enough oil to ensure a strong and even protective finish.
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The hemp oil will harden within the paint within 14 to 30 days. The process of curing happens as the oil emulsifies with the paint and becomes hard similar to tung oil. The advantage of hemp oil over tung oil is it never spoils over time. If shouldn’t need additional hemp oil for protection but if you feel it needs a light sprucing up, you may apply it with a rag and buff lightly. This is especially helpful with outdoor pieces. You may still wax over hemp oil if you desire colour from a wax finish, but it will not absorb as heavily as a painted-alone piece and would be a subtle finish.
Do I need to reapply Hemp Oil?
You shouldn’t need additional hemp oil for protection but if you feel it needs a light sprucing up, you may apply with a rag and buff lightly. This is especially helpful with outdoor pieces. You may still wax over hemp oil if you desire colour from a wax finish, but it will not absorb as heavily as a painted-alone piece and would be a subtle finish.
Can I use Hemp Oil as a finish on Chalk Synthesis Paint?
You bet! Hemp oil is 100% natural oil that is a superior sealant. It will leave a buttery smooth finish on your paint if the wet sanding technique is employed. Hemp oil is especially great for pieces with heavy distressing because it penetrates through all layers of the paint and can richen and protect any of the original wood showing through a piece. Hemp oil fully cures to a hard and strong finish within 30 days. It doesn’t generally need to be reapplied because it doesn’t just sit on top of the paint like other sealants. A light wipe down with more hemp oil on a sponge or lint-free cloth can bring life back to a piece if needed. Hemp oil may be used on any wood surface. Hemp oil is able to penetrate the surface of raw or stained wood. If you are using hemp oil on wood that is varnished, the hemp oil cannot be absorbed because of the barrier but can still produce a gorgeous shine.