Pallmann Magic Oil requires the use of a hardener that is sold with the product, but only when you buy it in liters.

These 75 mL Pallmann Magic Oil testers are sold without hardener, because Pallmann maintains that it does not change or affect the color of the Magic Oil, which means you should be able to evaluate samples without using the hardener.

But we have found this slightly problematic for two reasons:

1. If you are trying to achieve one of Pallmann’s layered effects, the colors that they refer to as “Two Tone” you must use the Pallmann Magic Oil to make your samples.
2. If you do not, the two different color layers merge into one muddy layer. To get accurate results you must wait 12 hours between layers, and you must use the hardener for each layer.

Even if you are evaluating a single color or a blended oil color, you must still apply two oats, and you will get a much more accurate preview of the product’s sheen and depth if you use the hardener for your samples.

So, the takeaway is you should buy a separate bottle of hardener to do your samples.