Hard wax oil is a proven and practical coating for residential and commercial use. Already well-established in Europe, this natural oil is steadily gaining traction in the United States.
Beautiful, durable, and without any noxious fumes, hard wax oil is a way of the future.
In this article, you’ll learn about hard wax oil, the pros and cons, how you apply it, and our product recommendations, so you can decide whether or not it’s right for your home or business.
Hard Wax Oil 101
Hard wax oils is a film-forming natural oil that consists of blends of synthetics, natural oils, and waxes that penetrate and surround the wood fibers.
Products under this category are made from different raw ingredients (including small amounts of wax) and processes, so no two products are exactly the same. But they’re applied almost like waxing a car.
They come available in single or 2-component formulas. A 2-component product has an isocyanate hardener that speeds up drying time and increases durability. Single-component formulas take longer to dry and have less durability. The best formulas have two components because the hardening agent helps the coating hold up better over time.
Hard Wax Oil or Hardwood Floor Wax?
Hardwood floor wax (wax paste) is no longer a practical solution for modern homes or businesses. These outdated solvent waxes have strong odors from high-VOC content and require a rigorous commitment to maintenance.
Maintaining paste-waxed floors involves re-waxing every few months. The only time you paste wax a floor is to add authenticity to an historic property or because the wood floor already has this type of coating. Because once you’ve applied hardwood floor wax, you’re stuck with it unless you refinish the floor.
Many contractors are unfamiliar with the art of applying paste wax because better finish systems have long since emerged. Technological processes that liquify the wax and combine it with other materials resulted in hard wax oil, a product that gives your floor the natural look, feel, and beauty of traditional wax – without any of the problems.
The Pros and Cons of Hard Wax Oil
Hard wax oil is a cost-effective and eco-friendly finish that enhances the health and look of the wood while giving you excellent overall protection. With the lowest VOC content of any other type of finish, it’s also among the safest and least toxic floor finishes on the market.
Application takes less time, labor, and materials compared to a typical job, which requires twice the amount of labor and time. After sanding and water-popping the floor, you can buff in and out two coats and be done. And you don’t have to worry about leaving behind application marks or abrading in between coats.
The curing time varies, depending on the product and manufacturer. The quickest-drying product (Pallmann Magic Oil 2K) is fully cured within 24 hours.
Another major benefit of using a hard wax oil is convenient spot-repair maintenance. You can quickly diminish scratches and signs of wear without any problem, touching up areas of your floor as needed with ease.
This means you can reapply the finish on specific sections of your floor to make it look brand new in little time. You can move furniture aside in the evening, rebuff, recoat, and rejuvenate sections of the floor as needed, then put everything back into place by morning. Many restaurant owners choose it for this very reason.
One extra benefit of hard wax oil is the many color options available. You can customize your floor’s color without stain to achieve the perfect shade. Take a look at Rubio and Pallmann Magic Oil color options.
Hard Wax Oil Vs Polyurethane
Hard wax oil has many advantages, but two major disadvantages when you compare it to polyurethane finish. Polyurethane provides a plastic coating over the wood in a variety of sheens. With wax and natural oils, all your protection is absorbed into the wood fibers, so you’re limited to a matte or ultra matte sheen.
If you prefer a floor that shines, then you’ll want to use a different type of finish.
Hand-Scraped White Oak With Rubio 2C Plus
A second disadvantage of hard wax oil is there’s less chemical resistance than polyurethane. If you spill bleach on your hard waxed/oiled floor, you will likely be left with a dark mark on the surface. Even though you can repair it, you would have been able to simply wipe it off a floor coated with poly, which has stronger chemical resistance.
When it comes to long-term durability, hard wax oil (with proper maintenance and care) will outlast polyurethane-coated floors. Floors coated with polyurethane show scratches, dings, and scuffs from use. The only thing you can do to eliminate these imperfections is to refinish the entire surface.
The more a polyurethane-coated floor is used, the more you’re going to see fine scratches show up in the plastic layer. With hard wax oil, there’s nothing sitting on top of the wood that can be scratched, so you’ll never be dealing with permanent fine scratches caused by sliding furniture or small rocks caught in someone’s shoes, dragged unknowingly across the surface.
The key to maintaining wax oiled floors is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and use the specific products that work in conjunction with the specific finish you use.
The Most Efficient Application?
One reason many contractors are quickly becoming fans of hard wax oil is the clean smell and quick turn around on the jobsite. Application is similar to waxing a car. It’s simple enough that you can do it by hand, rubbing it in and wiping it off. But if you have a larger space or want to finish the job quickly, you’re going to need a buffing machine.
For DIY: Operating a buffer is like learning to ride a bike. The most important thing is to find the balancing point. Once you understand how the machine works, you’ll always be able to operate it effectively. A good way to practice a buffer is to rent one and try it in your garage until you feel confident enough to use it in your home.
Once you have the buffer down, you can complete the job quickly by applying the product to the floor with the buffer.
The best way to proceed is to work in small sections because the product will dry quickly. Work in small sections and you’ll be able to take your time.
NOTE: Sanding quality is especially important because your sanding skill determines the final result. Any digs, chatter in the floor, or any other flaws will become obvious after you apply the hard wax oil. For the most beautiful appearance, make sure your floors are professionally sanded.
Recommended Hard Wax Oil Products
We recommend Rubio Oil Plus 2C and Pallmann Magic Oil 2K for the best results. These products have proven to be front runners in overall quality and long-term performance.
Rubio Oil Plus 2C
Rubio Oil Plus 2C is a two-component, 0 VOC hard wax oil that’s 80% cured in 2 days and fully cured within 5. You can coat, color (55 different colors), and protect your floor in a single layer.
Pallmann Magic Oil 2K
Pallmann Magic Oil 2K is a 2-component hardened oil penetrating finish with very little wax. This hybrid of natural oils and wax is the fastest-drying formula of its kind.
Summary
Hard wax oil is a popular floor finish overseas, and it’s gaining popularity in the U.S.
These products provide beauty and great resistance with fast application and simple upkeep. Maintained properly, and you may never have to refinish your floor.
The low-VOC content is unmatched. They’re among the most eco-friendly finishes on the market today.
Application is easy with the proper method. And spot-repair maintenance means you can make your floors look brand new overnight.
The main disadvantages are twofold: limits to glossiness with less chemical resistance.
With a hard wax oil or penetrating natural oil, you can bring out the natural aesthetic of the wood and transform your space.
