HOW TO USE HEMP SEED OIL AS A FURNITURE FINISH | BURL WOOD VINTAGE CABINET REFRESH
If you’re looking for an EASY WIPE ON durable-streak-free finish for your wood OR painted furniture, I’ve got you covered! Here’s how I flipped this dried-out Salvaged Vintage Cabinet into a gorgeous rich Burl Wood beauty using 100% All-Natural Hemp Oil!
I had every intention of painting this old cabinet when I saw the listing on FBMP. But once I saw it in person, I changed my mind. The seller’s pics didn’t do it justice. Sure, the Burl Wood Veneer had dried out from age and looked dull from years of use, but it was in almost perfect condition.
After applying just ONE coat of furniture Hemp Oil, this cabinet is looking wood-licious on the inside and out!
What do you think? So much better, right?!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
Vintage Cabinet – SALVAGED
Paint Brushes
Shop Towel
White Lightning
Hemp Oil
HOW TO USE HEMP OIL
From old age and normal wear and tear, this vintage burl wood veneer was very dry.
To nourish the wood and bring back the luster, I used this DB Hemp Oil.
Hemp Oil is 100% All-Natural, environmentally friendly, food-safe, and VERY easy to use.
It’s a streak-free sealer for wood OR over a freshly painted piece of furniture. It can be applied with a sponge, brush, shop towel, or any lint-free cloth… or just pour it on and rub it in with your hand! Below I’m applying it with a shop towel.
Here are the steps I took…
HEMP OIL FURNITURE SEALER
- Clean your piece – I used this cleaner here.
- Rub in some Hemp Oil – I used these shop towels.
- Wait 12 hours and wipe off any excess.
- Repeat if needed.
Check out the HUGE difference it makes!
In the pic below, the left side has one coat of Hemp Oil rubbed on and the right side is the original wood. The Hemp Oil takes around 12 hours to dry and dries to a matte finish. If you see any “pooling” or “splotches” of oil after 12 hours, it means the wood or your painted finish has absorbed as much as it can. Wipe back and you’re done.
HEMP OIL FURNITURE FACTS
- No chemicals so it’s environmentally friendly
- Works on raw wood or painted finishes
- Hemp Oil is food safe so can be used on cutting boards, utensils, baby cribs, etc.
- Wipe on with a brush, sponge, lint-free cloth, or your hand
- Use multiple coats 2-3 coats or as little as 1 coat
- Dries to a water-resistant finish
- Hemp Oil can be reapplied every few years as it can wear away on high-traffic items
- Complete natural and safe and easy to use
- It can be used on painted furniture and leaves a NO streak finish
- Pure drying oil has amino acids removed from it so it will dry and cure
- The wood or paint will absorb the oil into the surface
- Takes 12 hours to dry
- After 12 hours remove the excess that the wood has not absorbed
- Softwoods absorb more hemp oil than hardwoods
- Be sure to remove excess after 12 hours because blotchy will start getting tacky
- Absorbs into chalk paint which is porous
- Won’t absorb into a factory finish .. it will pool up.
- Drys to a matte finish
- Nourishes wood
- You can use it on outdoor furniture
- You don’t have to worry about brush strokes
- Once there is no puddling you are done
- Very forgiving with no brush marks and it is durable
I love this close-up image below. This is how the hemp oil looks once it is all dry. It doesn’t look oily or greasy at all. It dries to an all-natural-looking matte wood finish!
Even though I bought this piece with every intention of painting, I’m really glad I didn’t!
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the step-by-step on Youtube. If you have any problems viewing below, feel free to watch it on my Youtube Channel here… and don’t forget to subscribe! 🙂
I’m curious… would you have painted it? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts below!
I hope whoever purchases this gorgeous wood cabinet has a real appreciation for it and admires its natural beauty.
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS HEMP OIL WOOD RESTORATION. FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy furniture painting friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
HAIRPIN TABLE MAKEOVER
PAINTED MID CENTURY MODERN DRESSER
RESTORE ENTRY HALL TABLE
FAUX DRIFTWOOD NESTING TABLES
SINGER SEWING TABLE MAKEOVER
KITCHEN TABLE MAKEOVER DIY
PIN AND SHARE!
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Hi. I’m interested in knowing if you can paint over the hemp oil… one day in the future, not immediately.
Thanks.
You can but it does create a protective coating so sanding would be required… unless it’s all worn off. 🙂
I was wondering if Hemp oil can be used on my Eastlake bed, it’s 140 years old and I would love to bring the wood back to life.
For sure! If you are unsure, text a little one on the back of the headboard or in an inconspicuous area. I think it will make a huge difference. 🙂
So lovely, as usual!
Do you have any idea if you can seal a piece with Hemp Oil and then use a transfer on it? Wondering if you can you Hemp Oil to seal transfers….. I would much prefer using an oil over a water-based top coat!
Thanks Peggy! And no I wouldn’t use Hemp Oil over a transfer. ANY type of oil (and this includes an oil-based wax) will dilute the transfers adhesion.
You did the right thing by not painting it, it’s lovely!
Can you imagine the cabinet as a liquor cabinet? Place mirror on the 3 interior walls, replace the wood shelves with glass ones and Walla you have a gorgeous piece of furniture.
I LOVE your idea! x
Absolutely gorgeous!!
Thanks Natasha!!🤗
There are some pieces that just call for NO paint and this is one of them. Howdy Do Hemp Oil is the best for this type of restoration! LOVE it! Great job Denise.
Thanks Teri! And it’s SOOOOOOO easy!🤗
She’s a beauty Eau Naturelle! I love hemp oil and didn’t realize DB carried this product.
Thanks my friend! XOXO And I think DB carries everything…lol.😉
I’m really loving this piece in its restored state. Thank you for showing us how to use hemp oil! But is it possible to successfully paint over a piece after having used hemp oil on it? I’m wondering if there would be adhesion issues.
For best adhesion when painting over hemp oil (or wax), it’s best to remove with mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol. They can be painted over once they are 100% cured but I still would suggest sanding for best adhesion. Great question btw!
Hola Denise,
Saludos desde España!
Hermoso es poco a decir, que manera de descubrir la belleza de la madera.
Me pregunto si el aceite de cáñamo es suficientemente duradero para aplicarlo a una encimera de lavabo en el baño?
Hi Denise,
Greetings from Spain!
Beautiful is little to say, what a way to discover the beauty of wood.
I wonder if hemp oil is durable enough to apply to a sink counter in the bathroom?
Hi Mery! Hemp Oil is water-resistant but not waterproof. That said, it can and has been used to seal wood floors, butcher blocks, wood kitchen counters and wood mixing spoons etc so it must hold up really well. Just keep in mind reapplication would be needed periodically. Every year or so.
You hit it out of the park with this one. Great save and it was worth it.
Yaaay, thanks Wilma!!!
I would not have painted it. But I’m very glad to know about this product from DB (I need it for my neglected armoire). I’m wowed by how great the piece looks now. What a sweet little cabinet! Thanks, Denise!
Ya, I just couldn’t do it…lol. I think you’d love the Hemp Oil Marcia. Super easy to use and it makes such a difference!
I love how this turned out, thank you so much for breaking down the use of hemp oil! I have a kitchen table I want to use hemp oil on, it has a “matte” finish. I definitely isn’t shiny, but I honestly don’t know if or what kind of “finish” might have been on it from the factory. It’s an Ashley Furniture piece, which is probably 25 years old. I’m thinking the hemp oil would be perfect for this set. Haven’t done before so a little intimidated, but your blog really helped!
If there is still a factory finish on it you will be able to tell Lynnell. The Hemp Oil will not absorb. It will kind of puddle or pool because it has nothing to sink and absorb into. Hope this helps. 🙂
Hi, you mentioned that is can be used over paint but I wondered if it is best to use on dark colours only, also which types of paint can it be used on, thanks – and I love the cabinet, it is beautiful x
Hi Pauline! I think most people love using hemp oil on dark blues, blacks and deep colors because typically they are the paint finishes that show streaks/brush strokes with traditional topcoats. But yes, Hemp Oil can be used on ANY paint color. And it works best with porous paints such as chalk paint or milk paints.
This wood does look beautiful and since it is in such good shape I wouldn’t paint either, but it is really hard to find an old piece looking this good hence usually gets paint. I just purchased Voodoo stain to cover a wood top table, would you say they are similar?
I agree. I don’t come across pieces in this good of shape that often. And funny, the seller’s picture looked horrible…lol. I was shocked when I picked it up and it was in such great shape. Voodoo Gel Stain is a water-based stain and Hemp Oil doesn’t stain, but rather nourishes and seals the wood. You can use Hemp Oil to seal Voodoo Gel stain. 🙂
Can you use regular hemp oil you buy in grocery store?
No. They process the furniture hemp oil differently taking out the amino acids so it dries and cures. Great question tho… I forgot to add this into the post so thank YOU!
I love this cabinet! I love antiques and preserve them if at all possible. This turned out great. I am so glad you didn’t paint it!
Thanks Sherry! So happy you love it!🤗
I was in the minority of those who said “don’t paint it.” The wood on that piece is the star of the show and really glad you kept it that way. I do like painted furniture but sometimes the wood should be showcased, beautiful piece.
HI Elinor! When I posted this piece in my IG and FB stories the majority of people told me to paint it… but I just couldn’t. So I’m in the minority right with you!🤗
Hi Denise. What a beautiful cabinet. Since it’s in great condition and the wood is so unique I’m glad you left it a natural beauty. I’ve never tried using hemp oil. Gorgeous results.
Thanks my friend… and it’s SOOOOO easy to use!🤗
First–gorgeous! This turned out so beautifully! Second–have you used hemp oil on any of your painted pieces that you’ve featured on your website? I’m SO intrigued by this.
Yes I have and it works amazing! You can see how hemp oil works to seal paint here.
Do you think hemp oil can be used on outside stuff, like a stained front door? Mine is looking really dry on the bottom but the rest is in perfect shape and I don’t want to have to restain. Thanks!
Hemp Oil can be used as a 100% all-natural seal on outdoor furniture, doors etc. Just keep in mind you will have to reapply periodically. 🙂
I have an 1840 grandfather clock that is in excellent condition but it needs a little refresh. It’s natural wood, not sure of the species though but probably mahogany, and I was trying to figure out what I could use to bring it back to life and protect it. Then along came your post and I think I found exactly what I need! 🙂
I’m so glad Bob! I’m guessing that grandfather clock will come right back to life once nourished with some Hemp Oil! I’d love to hear how it turns out if you give it a try. 🙂
Glad to know about this oil. I have several pieces that could use a good oiling! Good decision not to paint and a good lesson for all of us who follow you.
Thanks Cindy! Now I’m on the hunt for more pieces I can use this on too! 😉
What a stunning piece!!! I hope you’ll keep it so that no one can buy it and paint it! 🙂 I’ve never used hemp oil on furniture. How do you feel it differs from using the old fashioned lemon oil treatment? I’m sure it’s more expensive than lemon oil.
Great job, good choice!
Hi Cate! This piece has sold. I posted it on FBMP and had 11 inquires within the first hour!😃 As for the old fashion lemon oil treatment, sorry, I’m not sure how Hemp Oil compares because I’ve never tried it.
So glad you restored it without paint! It’s beautiful!
Thank you Mary Jo! x
Wouldn’t change a thing!! It’s absolutely gorgeous au naturale.
Thanks Gayle! x
I often see furniture and wonder why someone would paint it, yet they do. Sometimes the piece just tells a story and why would you want to paint over that? There is beauty in the wood and it tells of a time gone by. I love pieces that are redone and painted as well, but I think there should be care in deciding which pieces are meant for painting. You are an incredibly talented painter, but I absolutely love that you also see furniture in its natural beauty.
I agree and thanks, Terry! This wood cabinet tells a story and I hope whoever buys it really appreciates it… and if truth be told, doesn’t paint over it.😊
That was so beautiful! So glad that beautiful piece of furniture made it into the right hands!!! I just bought a little table that was a wood top with wrought iron base and a wood shelf at bottom. Someone had painted over it with semi gloss paint and then put shiny stain on top of that. I started stripping it and literally became ill! That table and bottom shelf had been covered in nice leather and they had ruined it! I wanted to cry!
Ohhh no. Hemp Oil can be used to revive leather but I’m guessing if it was painted and stripped it may be beyond repair. Sorry to hear that.😐
I think you were right to not paint this piece. The wood is too beautiful to be painted.
Thanks Joan! 🙂
L-O-V-E the wood in this cabinet. You made the right call in preserving it with hemp oil. A classic beauty. Pinned! Always inspiring. ❤️
Thanks my friend! I think this wood is pretty darn gorgeous and a classic beauty as well. XOXO
This is a wonderful restoration for that gorgeous wood. So glad you did not paint it! Would you recommend this product for counters? I have Acacia wood countertops that I treat with mineral oil monthly but would love something that I don’t have to use as often.
Thanks, Nancy and YES to using it on your Acacia wood countertops! It’s more durable than mineral oil and you would only need to reapply maybe once a year. Also food safe, pet safe, children safe, because 100% natural. 🙂
Would not have painted! It is absolutely beautiful!! Great job and decision Denise!!
Thanks Kristi!🤗
Smart move! It’s a real beauty.
Thanks so much, Diane! XOXO
You’ve brought out the natural beauty in the piece. Good choice not to paint imo!
Aw, thanks my friend! XOXO
Thank you for NOT painting that piece!
Thank YOU for chiming in Linda!🤗