For more than ten years, Nghia Son has finished its outdoor furniture and decking tiles with a water-based oil for outdoor furniture instead of the solvent-based oils still used in many factories. The decision gives our workers a safer finishing line, gives families in Europe, the United States and Japan products they can use with confidence, and reduces the environmental footprint of every piece we ship.
Why Nghia Son chose water-based oil early
A water-based oil uses water as the carrier instead of organic solvents. Once the oil is applied, the water evaporates and the polymer particles coalesce into a protective, UV-resistant film on the wood surface. There is no solvent evaporating into the workshop, no strong odour and no fire risk from the coating itself — problems that are difficult to avoid with solvent-based finishes.
According to the manufacturer, the oils we use were developed specifically for outdoor furniture, offering good UV protection and high durability, and are particularly well suited to acacia — the main timber in our collections. Alongside the classic brown Runnen shade familiar to European buyers, our light-yellow shade (code WB 4043 – NS 14) was formulated to a Nghia Son colour standard. Read more about timber choice in our guide Acacia vs Eucalyptus vs Teak for Outdoor Furniture.
A transparent formulation
The supplier’s safety data sheets (SDS) list the following composition for the stain oils:
| Ingredient | CAS No. | Weight % |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous dispersion of a modified PU polymer based on acrylic and methacrylic esters | N/A | 60% |
| Water (H₂O) | 7732-18-5 | 30% |
| Pigments | 6358-31-2; 147-14-8; 980-26-7; 133-86-4 | 10% |
| Wetting and dispersing additives | 134180-76-0 | 0.05% |
| IPBC (film anti-fungal agent) | 55406-53-6 | 0.01% |
| CMIT (in-can preservative) | 55965-84-9 | 0.001% |
The formulation lists no organic solvents. The oil is reinforced with a water-based polycarbodiimide hardener at just 1%, which improves adhesion and durability of the film. The hardener’s SDS states that its components are listed on the US TSCA Inventory.
Key technical data
| Property | Value (supplier TDS) |
|---|---|
| Gloss level | 5% (±2%) – natural matt finish that keeps the wood grain visible |
| pH | 8 ± 1 |
| Specific gravity | 1.03 ± 0.1 |
| Thinner / equipment cleaning | Clean water |
| Reference application quantity | 80 g/m² |
| Drying time | Touch dry 30 min; hard dry 4 h; full dry 24 h |
| Flammability | Non-flammable – flash point not applicable |
Safer for the people who make our furniture
Finishing operators have the most contact with any coating. With water-based oil, our finishing line is:
- Free of fire risk from the coating – both the oil and the hardener are classified as non-flammable.
- Almost odourless – no full shifts spent in strong solvent fumes.
- Cleaned with water – no solvent cleaners are needed for tools and tanks.
- Handled as non-dangerous goods – the materials are not dangerous goods under ADR/RID, IATA and IMDG, and our light-yellow shade is classified as non-hazardous under GHS.
Safer chemistry does not replace good practice. Nghia Son follows the SDS recommendations in full — impervious gloves, eye protection, protective clothing, good ventilation and an emergency eye-wash station in the finishing area — because safety is part of our culture, not just a supply item.
Peace of mind for customers, lower impact on the environment
Outdoor furniture lives on patios, balconies and around pools, where adults and children touch it every day. Nghia Son products are finished with an oil that uses water as its base and lists no organic solvents in its formulation, so customers can enjoy them with confidence.
For the environment, a water-based finish releases no solvent into the air during application and drying. Empty, cleaned containers go to recycling, and process water is collected and treated rather than discharged directly. This commitment sits within Nghia Son’s management systems: ISO 14001, ISO 9001, BSCI, FSC, CTPAT, with compliance to the Lacey Act and EUDR. See how we control quality at every stage in Outdoor Furniture Quality Control: From Timber to Final Inspection.
Water-based oil vs solvent-based oil
| Criterion | Water-based oil (Nghia Son) | Solvent-based oil |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Water | Organic solvents |
| Flammability | Non-flammable | Flammable |
| Odour in the workshop | Almost odourless | Strong solvent odour |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOC) | No organic solvents in the formulation | Solvents evaporate during application and drying |
| Equipment cleaning | Clean water | Solvents |
| Market direction in the EU, US and Japan | Aligned with the move to lower VOC | Increasingly restricted |
More than ten years: one choice, one commitment
From two factories in Ho Nai Industrial Park, Dong Nai, Vietnam, Nghia Son manufactures outdoor furniture and decking tiles in acacia, eucalyptus and teak — with FSC-certified options — for retailers in Europe, the United States and Japan. Staying with water-based oil for more than a decade reflects a simple belief: beautiful, durable products must go hand in hand with safety for people and responsibility to the environment. Technical data sheets and safety data sheets for our finishes are available whenever buyers need them for chemical compliance reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Is water-based oil durable enough for outdoor furniture?
Yes. The oils Nghia Son uses were developed specifically for outdoor furniture, with good UV protection and high durability, are particularly suited to acacia, and are reinforced with a polycarbodiimide hardener.
Is water-based oil flammable?
No. Both the oil and the hardener are recorded as non-flammable in their safety data sheets.
Can Nghia Son provide the SDS and TDS of its finishes?
Yes. Buyers can request the technical data sheets and safety data sheets for supplier audits or chemical compliance checks.
Work with Nghia Son
Looking for outdoor furniture or decking tiles finished with a safe, export-ready water-based oil? Contact Nghia Son Wooden Furniture Company for our catalogue, colour samples and a quotation.