What is it?
The Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is a hardwax oil wood finish that bonds to timber, and protects from daily wear, heat and water. Hardwax oil wood finishes are typically manufactured from a mix of one or more vegetable oils and one or more waxes. Basic examples date back to the 1800’s where Linseed oil was applied to timber to protect it, followed by a beeswax application to enhance the appearance. However, this two-step method required regular maintenance to maintain the appearance and functionality, leading to the development of the modern hardwax finishes that are popular today.
Where I use it:
I use it on the majority of my non-rustic pieces as it produces a lovely matte finish, is easy to maintain / repair and very hardwearing (originally designed for floors). While I wouldn’t recommend drinking the stuff, Rubio Monocoat has a Fit for Food certification from an independent testing institute and is 0% VOC – meaning I can use it with confidence for the pieces I create.
Why I use it:
A great benefit is that Rubio Monocoat is 0% VOC, making it a pleasure to apply unlike some finishes.
Rubio cures quickly and allows the wood grain and texture to really come through, providing a nice natural feel without having a plastic feel commonly caused by some finishes. It’s environmentally friendly and won’t peel or flake over time like a film finish. What’s more, re-application may never be required if the piece is maintained with care, and if re-finishing is required it’s typically an easy process (light sanding / re-apply Rubio).
Further lustre can be generated by adding the maintenance oil, if required, and they have a massive colour range so if staining is ever something a client is after; there’s no need to compromise on the finish quality.
What’s a VOC – VOCs are a group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Many common household materials and products, such as paints and cleaning products, give off VOCs. Common VOCs include acetone, benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, toluene and xylene.
Given the side effects of VOC’s include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing, lead to nausea, and damage the central nervous system (as well as other organs) and that some VOCs can cause cancer, I always select low, or no VOC options where available.