About Our Solid Wood Finishes

Rubio Oil Finish

Every iMovR solid wood desktop finished in Rubio Monocoat is treated with Rubio Oil Plus 2C, a premium Belgian oil finish trusted by craftspeople, architects, and furniture makers worldwide. Unlike traditional polyurethane coatings that sit on top of the wood, Rubio Monocoat uses a patented molecular bonding process that penetrates the wood's surface fibers and bonds to them at a chemical level. The result is a finish that looks and feels like real wood because it is the wood. We also finish the underside of every desktop, sealing all surfaces against moisture and seasonal movement, a step many manufacturers skip.

How It Works: Molecular Bonding Technology

Traditional finishes build up layers on the surface of wood, creating a film (why they are referred to as film finishes). Rubio Monocoat works differently. Within minutes of application, the oil bonds molecularly to the outermost wood fibers. Once all available fibers are bonded, the wood simply stops absorbing product.

This means your desktop retains the authentic texture, warmth, and character of the wood grain.

How It Compares

Why It Matters for Your Desk

A standing desk surface takes more daily wear than almost any other piece of furniture in your home or office with keyboards, coffee cups, forearms, notebooks, and the occasional spill. We chose Rubio Monocoat as our primary finish because film finishes, even high-end ones like our Resin Film, can show wear at the front of the desktop where you work, and scratched in the film. The Rubio finish can be easily renewed and make a worn surface look like new again. Film finished are nearly impossible to spot repair. Very few wood furniture items receive 8 hours or more of daily use like your desk does, so we feel this feature is important one for a desk that is built to last 10+ years.

Daily maintenance is relatively simple with periodic wipe-downs with Rubio Monocoat Soap. Every year or two, renewing the surface with Rubio Renew or Refresh will keep the surface looking great for many years.

Certifications

Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C has earned some of the most rigorous independent environmental and safety certifications available for a wood finish product:

Care & Maintenance

Daily cleaning: Wipe with a lightly damp cloth. Clean spills promptly. Avoid standing water.

Ongoing maintenance: Cleaning should be done only with Rubio Monocoat Soap (we include some with each desk) that keeps the finish conditioned and the surface protected.

Every year or so, or if the finish seems dry, Rubio Renew or Rubio Refresh can be used to renew the surface.

Scratch repair: Minor scratches can be treated with Rubio Monocoat Refresh Eco. Or contact us fore more information.

Rubio Monocoat is a registered trademark of Rubio Monocoat International NV. Learn more at rubiomonocoatusa.com.

PolyAcrylic Film Finish

Our Resin Film Finish is a professional Italian 2-part catalyzed resin system, similar in behavior and durability to a high-end polyurethane, but formulated to a higher standard. Where the Rubio Monocoat finish penetrates and bonds into the wood fiber, this finish builds a hard, sealed film on the surface of the wood. The result is a more protective barrier that is especially well-suited to environments where moisture resistance and ease of cleaning are the top priorities. We also finish the underside of every desktop with this system, sealing all surfaces, a step many manufacturers skip.

How It Works: Catalyzed Film Formation

The Resin Film Finish is a 2-part catalyzed system: the resin and hardener are combined at application and chemically cross-link as they cure, forming a hard, durable surface film over the wood. Unlike a penetrating oil finish, the cured resin sits on top of the wood, fully sealing the surface against liquid, staining agents, and daily abrasion.

The result is a surface that feels smooth and slightly more formal than the raw-wood tactile quality of the Rubio finish. The sheen level is relatively matte, and UV inhibitors are incorporated into the formula to slow, though not fully preventative of the natural color change in the wood over time.

How It Compares

Why You Might Choose This Finish

The Resin Film Finish is the right choice if durability and ease of cleaning outweigh the desire for a completely natural, tactile wood surface. It's particularly well-suited to situations where the desk will be exposed to regular liquid contact, or you do not want the hassle of the maintenance of the Rubio finish.

Because the surface is fully sealed, it resists most stains without any special treatment - a quick wipe is all that's needed in daily use. The tradeoff is repairability: unlike the Rubio finish, damage that penetrates the film cannot easily be addressed on-site, and professional refinishing is typically required for significant wear or scratching.

Care & Maintenance

Daily cleaning: Wipe with a lightly damp cloth or standard household surface cleaner. The sealed surface resists most spills without special attention.

Ongoing maintenance: Minimal under normal use. Standard wood cleaners can typically be used.

Damage and repair: Surface scratches may be visually reduced or camouflaged, but full repair of significant damage requires professional refinishing. Spot treatment is not possible with this finish system.