We create possibilities. From wide plank flooring to handcrafted woodwork and even surfaces like metal, leather, plastic, or vinyl, our universal finish is here to protect and enhance it all. Whether inside your home or under the open sky, Odie’s Oil brings out the best in every project.
Designed with simplicity in mind, our goal is easy to apply and incredibly effective. It doesn’t just protect; it enhances, giving surfaces a rich, timeless appeal. We’re passionate about helping makers, creators, and dreamers bring their ideas to life.
James Tinghitella is a woodworker and wide plank flooring manufacturer whose journey began with a dream and a library card. Now, his company, Odie’s Oil, is a thriving business that brings beauty and quality to homes across America.
In 1978, a 12-year-boy, named James Tinghitella, along with his father and brother, experienced a life-altering event; while they were busy with a tile project in South Florida, the toxic fumes from their materials became so noxious that the brothers barely escaped the house alive. This incident left an indelible mark on James. With nothing but a library card, a bike and a determination to find answers, James embarked on a journey that would not only change his life but also reshape the entire finishing industry.
Through his research, James Tinghitella discovered the dangers of chemicals like Benzene, Toluene and Isocyanate were really harming. They were dangerous not only for him and his family but for many others. The biggest revelation was that these chemicals could lead to acute myeloid leukemia, a serious disease; but this moment motivated James to work on creating a safer, natural alternative for everyone.
Besides developing his interests in chemistry and safety, James Tinghitella began to develop a passion for woodworking. While in middle school, the tools and precision involved in the creation of fine wood products interested him. This passion for woodworking was to become very crucial in his future, as it seemed to seamlessly connect with his urge to create a durable and safe wood finish.
"Woodworking wasn’t just a hobby. It was the beginning of something much bigger, something that would guide me for the rest of my life,” James Tinghitella said.
During the mid-90s, James Tinghitella moved to South Florida, where he developed a wooden shutter that complied with the SBCCI hurricane code while still being aesthetic. Before that, in the 80’s, he met his wife while studying at Savannah College of Art and Design and was able to polish his creative skills.
The shutters he designed and manufactured served a central role in the reintroduction of West Indies shutter style in Delray Beach, Florida. Moreover, James was involved in product development and showcasing a beautiful finish that he created himself and was extremely durable and natural. However, this was only the starting point for a much more significant foundation.
In addition to his woodworking work, James Tinghitella became one of the first to implement a genuine mahogany forestry management plan that was certified sustainable and compliant with the 2003 CITES treaty. Through fair-trade practices and cooperation with indigenous people, James spent considerable time in the Amazon jungle, forging connections with native tribespeople.
“It was about ensuring that future generations would have access to resources in a responsible way,” James explained.
As a well-known hardwood importer, James brought millions of board feet of certified exotic hardwood into North America, shaping the future of sustainable lumber sourcing.
Seeking for a natural finish of better quality, James created wide plank hardwood floors. These are an eco-friendly option compared to furniture produced in bulk. He not only developed a novel style for such floors but also built the mechanical equipment that changed the whole process of manufacturing these floors.
Due to his exclusive finishing technique, James earned numerous loyal consumers all around the US; whether it be Alaska, Hawaii, or anywhere else you can imagine, his floors became the sought- after flooring option for those wanting real quality.
“I wanted to create something real, something that would last. And that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said James.
In 2005, everything turned upside down for James when his father was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. This was the same disease he had carefully researched years ago while figuring out the harmful chemicals. It was James’ father’s demise that turned James’s resolve stronger than before to fight against the horrors of the chemical industry and work towards better, organic solutions.
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After the housing market collapse in the late 2000s, James lost everything including their business. However, one thing that he still had intact was James’ finish.That finish—now named Odie’s Oil. It was the result of years of trial, error and a strong dedication to a vision of better, safer finishes.
In 2012, with a ray of hope and an incredibly low budget, James brought Odie’s Oil to market.
“We had nothing but a dream and a belief that we could make a product that could stand up against the giants of the industry,” James said.
Odie’s Oil was born out of hardship and perseverance, built by a man with profound skill, dedication, and love for a safer tomorrow.
As of now, James is the only person who knows the formulations and processes behind Odie’s Oil. And every single batch is made by James himself to ensure each product maintains its original integrity and quality.
“If you’ve got a jar of Odie’s Oil, you can be sure that I made it with my own hands,” James proudly stated.
Here at Odie’s Oil, we are keen to enhance our presence and would like to welcome potential distributors to assist us in selling our top notch quality finishes across the globe. As a distributor, you would be associated with a brand that is backed by innovation, has a keen interest in the sustainability movement, and designs products that care. This is what differentiates us- we target only those who seek excellence and wish to partner with us for our growing range of multi-purpose finishes.
We, in partnership with our distributors, aim to be firmly connected and mutually beneficial so that the distributors have the support, resources, and tools required in assuring their success. That way, we can help expand Odie’s Oil to new territories and further achieve our goal of being a company that ensures safe, top quality, natural and eco friendly products for everyone.
To deliver superior quality wood, metal, leather, plastic, and vinyl finishing oils with unmatched performance and sustainability through customer satisfaction derived from constant creativity and environmentally sustainable solutions.
To be among the best in the world in finishing oil manufacture with a commitment to quality, a focus on new technologies and efficient ecological methods that improve the outcomes.
