When it comes to finishing wood, the old-school methods like brushes or rags often leave you with uneven coverage and waste of oil. The specially designed Mirka oiling pads offer a modern alternative. Their non-woven backing and three-dimensional coating mean they absorb far less oil — which helps you get an even, consistent finish, and ensures more of the oil penetrates into the wood instead of soaking into the applicator.
In short: oiling pads save you time, reduce material waste, and deliver a more professional result.
What Surfaces Work Best
Mirka’s 150 mm pads are compatible with a wide range of wood types — from softer woods to hardwoods such as oak, pine, teak, birch, beech, and more.
These pads are ideal for furniture, countertops, cabinetry, or any wooden surface you want to protect and beautify.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Oiling Pads for a Smooth Wood Finish
Sand the wood thoroughly first. Before oiling, make sure the wood surface is properly sanded — typically up to P150 grit for most surfaces. This removes imperfections and opens the wood pores so the oil absorbs evenly.
Choose your application method. You can apply oil with the pads by hand, or — if you have one — use a powered sander (e.g. a DEROS II orbital sander) fitted with a pad interface. For best results, turn off dust extraction or use a vacuum disc block.
Apply in thin, even layers. The pad helps you spread the oil evenly over the entire surface. Don’t let sections dry out mid-job — keep the oil spread and move methodically.
Wipe off excess and let it absorb. After applying, use a clean cloth to remove surplus oil so it doesn’t stay sitting on the surface. If the wood requires deeper protection or a richer finish, apply additional layers, following the oil manufacturer’s instructions.
Optional: Light sanding between coats. If the oiling process raises wood fibres, you can lightly sand again (with appropriate grit) before applying another coat — to keep the surface smooth and ready for the next layer.
Why Oiling Pads Make a Difference
Speed & efficiency: Pads apply oil much faster and more evenly than brushes or rags, cutting down on labour time — especially useful for larger surfaces or repeated applications.
Cost-effective: Because they don’t soak up oil, less product is wasted. That means more coating goes into the wood — not lost on the applicator.
Better finish quality: Oil penetrates deeper and fills pores more uniformly, tightly enhancing the natural wood grain and giving a smoother, richer look to the wood.
Useful for many wood types and projects: From hardwood furniture to softwood cabinetry or woodwork — oiling pads adapt well across a wide variety of woods and finishes.
If you’re working on wood finishing — whether it’s furniture, flooring, or custom woodworking — switching from rags or brushes to oiling pads is a small change that can make a big difference. The improved coverage, reduced waste, and smoother finish all add up to a more efficient workflow and a higher-quality outcome.
