Hemp Oil, Uses and Application

Hemp Oil: What Is It?

According to Wikipedia, Hemp or hemp seed oil is obtained by pressing hemp seeds from the Cannabis plant. (If you want to skip all this info and get straight to the “how to” then scroll down to the last paragraph) Refined hemp seed oil is usually clear and colorless and does NOT contain THC (the psychoactive element present in the cannabis plant) because the manufacturing process cleanses the seed to 99.99% before pressing the oil.  The oil is considered a high nutritional food due to its 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids and is thought to be, by some, a miraculous plant.  It is 25% protein, contains a great deal of minerals and is a good source of Vitamin E.

 

Hemp Oil: Uses And Benefits

are products and has found some limited use in the production of soaps, shampoos and detergents.  It has also been used in textiles, paper, building supplies and plastics as well as an aid in chemical clean up. Food grade hemp oil has a range of medicinal uses, including skin regeneration, conditioning and protection, regulating hormonal imbalances, diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, depression, boosting weakened immune systems, lowering high cholesterol, joint pain, varicose veins, and killing cancer cells as noted in a new cancer study in Spain. Industrial hemp seed oil is used in lubricants, paints, inks, fuel, and plastics and is used to treat wood and painted surfaces as a protectant.

 

Industrial Hemp Oil

Hemp Oil is a fantastic protective top coat for porous surfaces such as raw or stained wood and painted surfaces such as flat latex paint, flat acrylic paint, chalk and milk paints.  When used on raw/stained wood, hemp oil has similar properties to and beneficial value as Tung Oil does on those surfaces.  But unlike Tung oil, Hemp oil will not go rancid over time and this makes it a perfect protectant on cutting boards or natural wood block kitchen counters.

 

 

It is easy to work with and to clean up and the resulting finish will bring old, tired wood alive and refreshed.  It brings the grain out in wood and produces a gentle shine that highlights the wood’s beauty.  It also helps in closing the pores on newly stripped, sanded or raw wood.

When using Hemp oil over flat paints, the oil penetrates and combines with the paint to produce a deep, rich color resulting in subtle, gentle sheen that is now a water resistant surface and protected from the inside out.  Hemp oil does have a slight color.  It looks very similar to olive oil.  When using over painted surfaces, do a test spot first in an inconspicuous area.  Lighter colors may take on a slight tint but always deepen, becoming richer.

Hemp Oil: Using on Raw, Stained and Painted Furniture

Seriously, I don’t think there is anything simpler than using Hemp Oil in furniture refinishing or care.  Open the bottle and apply using a brush or rag.  It’s that easy!  If using a brush I recommend pouring a small amount into a container for easier brush access but usually I just open the container, pour out a little oil on the surface and spread with a soft, clean rag.  

 I work it in gently, going in the direction of the grain, making sure I leave no obvious oil drops or puddles. 

Before                                           After

Wait 30 minutes then remove any excess oil remaining on the surface.  Allow 12 hours between coats and you can apply up to three for maximum protection.  Maintenance:  apply a coat every other year or as needed.  For additional protection on a piece, add a furniture wax over the hemp oil when fully dry.  Hemp oil is usually fully dry after 24 hours.  Hemp Oil cleans up with soap and water.  That’s the best!  What do you think?