Hardwax Oil vs. Polyurethane (2024)

FAQs

Can I put polyurethane over hard wax oil? ›

In summation, just make sure the oil you applied to your piece was a drying oil. Then make sure that it has had the time to fully dry/cure (days to weeks depending on heat & humidity). After that, feel free to add a top coat of lacquer or polyurethane to it.

One major advantage of hardwax oil finishes is that when properly maintained, they can last a lifetime without needing to be sanded and refinished. When the surface begins to look dry or thirsty, maintenance is necessary. Maintenance typically makes the surface look freshly finished, without requiring sanding.

How Many Coats of Water-Based Polyurethane Coating Do I Need? You need at least five to six coats of polyurethane to reach a smooth coating. Only apply three to four coats of water-based poly for a less durable surface. It will help you achieve a good finish, but will not be as smooth and clear as an oil-based finish.

HARDWAX OIL is a blend of natural oils and waxes, offering exceptional durability and resistance to wear on wood floors. Provides a water repellent, treadfast finish. Easy application with no sanding between coats, and easy to maintain and renovate when required.

Hardwax oils are a great option if you are looking for a matte finish that keeps both the natural look and feel of the wood. Polyurethanes are great if you want an increased sheen and prefer less texture to the floor. The trend in recent years is a natural-appearing finish that complements the character of the wood.

If you've waxed your furniture and then decide you'd prefer a poly finish, remove the wax with mineral spirits (in a well ventilated area) before apply a water based poly. Otherwise, the wax tends to repel the poly and it ruins the finish or may be more work down the road.

Maximum 2 coats recommended. Apply at room temperature. Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is formulated for application directly, and does not require thinning. Stir contents thoroughly before and during use, and apply in a warm, well ventilated room.

After drying, sand with 320 or 400 grit abrasive, wipe or vacuum the surface, brush or rag the next coat on, wait one minute, and then gently buff off the excess surface oil with a clean rag. If you leave it too long before buffing it can go tacky. If this happens apply another coat of oil and buff immediately.

If you're looking for a hardwax oil protector for your wooden floor, which is easy to use, leaves a lustrous finish and smooth to the touch; then the Osmo Polyx-Oil is the product for you.

Water-based polyurethane requires at least two hours of dry time between coats, and you should only apply two coats in a day. It's important to remember that drying time is affected by temperature and humidity.

How many coats of oil based polyurethane should you put on a wood floor? ›

We recommend at least 2 coats of oil based polyurethane + a lacquer sealer coat as a minimum for hardwood flooring. Extra coats = extra protection, but only one coat of oil based polyurethane may be applied per day, as it needs 24 hours to dry before applying another coat.

When you recoat after 2 hours you get a chemical bond between layers. If you let it go longer than that, you need to wait 24 hours so it's hard enough to sand and get a mechanical bond.

Hard wax leaves no sticky residue. It is much easier to clean up. Hard wax grabs shorter hair, eliminating the need to wax on the same area twice.

So, the wax you use at home can be re-used a few times, but only for one person.

If your wax is too hot, not hot enough, it can cause spreadability, setting, and consistency problems - and can even cause injury to clients! Our stripless film hard wax formula is also designed to be applied at a low melting point, so heating it up too much can even cause issues with effectiveness.

Cons of Oil-Based Polyurethane

Longer dry times. Dents easier due to it softer finish. The odor is unbearable (respirator use is recommended). The floor darkens over time.

Poly First, Then Wax

The rule of thumb is to apply poly then wax. Wax should always be the final topcoat applied to a piece of furniture.

For proper protection of the underlying wood, multiple coats are required. Oil-based finishes usually require fewer layers than water-based versions. This is because water-based polyurethane is thinner.

Another way to reduce the gloss level is to essentially scuffing the surface with fine scratches. This is sometimes called 'rubbing out' the finish. You can do it using various powdered abrasives, fine sandpaper, or scotch-brite pads and sanding with the grain of the wood.

Generally speaking, the following estimates apply to most finishes: Hard wax oils: 1-7 days. Water-based finishes: 7-14 days. Oil-modified polyurethane: 30 days.

Do you shake wipe on polyurethane? ›

Polyurethane Dos & Don'ts

Shaking creates bubbles, which leave a rough, pitted surface. It's okay to shake wipe-on polys, however. Thin the first coat. Thinning doesn't improve adhesion, and you'll have to apply more coats and use more solvent.

The downsides are that the finish is relatively easy to scratch and the coating can grant the floor a bit unnatural, 'plastic' look. Penetrating oils soak into the core of the wood, enhance its grain and grant the floor a warmer, more natural appearance.

Our Hardwax oil covers up to 40 m2 per liter for 1 layer, 1 can 250 ml covers 8-10m2 which is very unique.

Hard waxes are removed without a strip, so they need to be spread on the skin in thicker layers without losing their elasticity. This is extra important because you'll need to pull the wax out by the small portion unattached to the skin. At optimal temperature, hard wax usually has the consistency of thick paint.

When wax won't set. For maximum hair removal, you need to ensure your wax has been set correctly. “If your hot wax is taking too long to set on warmer parts of the body or in humid weather, simply dampen a cotton pad with cold water and wipe over any gummy patches to cool and harden it instantly,” advises Rouillard.

You can reheat the hard wax beads and use them at a later date, but only if you keep them clean. You can also reheat the wax as often as you want, but keep in mind that, for hard waxes, the process takes from 30 to 40 minutes.

Apply enough pressure to the skin when applying hard wax

If you do not apply enough pressure, the hairs cannot fully adhere to the wax strip. Learning how to apply wax to the skin with the appropriate amount of pressure usually eliminates the problem of the wax not pulling out hair.

However, it is still necessary to re-apply a coat to flooring in private households every three to four years to ensure optimal protection. No sanding prior to recoating is required, but using an alkaline cleaner suitable for wood before the renovation is recommended.

The oils penetrate the surface of the wood and create a bond which stops flaking and peeling. We have had customers who have used oils on untreated slate, and clay tiles. However be aware that the oils will darken the surfaces and once applied is very difficult to remove.

Can I use Hardwax Oil in my bathroom? Absolutely, they are not only moisture repellent, they are water resistant.

How long does it take for 3 coats of polyurethane to cure? ›

Surfaces finished with oil-based polyurethanes can be used after around 4 days, but full cure normally takes 30 days. Even if the manufacturer's recommended time has passed, if you can still smell the polyurethane, it probably isn't dry.

Depending on many factors, like your lifestyle and type of finish, polyurethane can last between three to six years. However, if you see damage on your floors, it may be time to reapply a fresh finish to your hardwood.

For maximum durability, we recommend 3 coats. Avoid heavy traffic and replacing of furniture for 72 hours after the final coat.

Oil-Based Polyurethane

There is the question of is one coat of polyurethane enough when it comes to an oil-based product, the answer to which is that you will require between three and four coats of this varnish for the best results.

We recommend a minimum of 2 days of socks-only traffic for floors finished with oil polyurethane. The house is not inhabitable for a minimum of 2 days after the job is completed, and better to stay out for at least 5 as the fumes/off-gassing is not advisable to breathe in, even if there are other rooms to sleep in.

Conclusion. Sanding multiple times and applying more coats may take a lot of time and money. But, if you skip this process, the polyurethane coat will not cling to the previous coat, and the last coat will eventually peel off, causing you to buy more and start the project again.

Protect your wood projects and get more done, faster, with Minwax One Coat Polyurethane Protective Finish. This crystal clear protective top coat dries in just two hours and lets you complete wood projects 3x faster without sacrificing durability.

Generally, more than 3 coats of poly doesn't do much good. It's really not needed nor recommended. Each additional coat needs to be buffed so you are kind of buffing off half of the previous layer. So 4 coats is more like 3.5 coats.

Although your hair needs to be at least a quarter inch to be waxed, hair that's too long can make waxing more complicated and painful. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends trimming hair to three-quarters of an inch.

When removing your strip, don't pull up or outward, keep as un-moved as possible. to avoid pulling the skin up away from the body, remove wax in the opposite direction of the hair growth, parallel to the skin.

How long do you leave hard wax on before removing? ›

Wait for the wax to harden (this usually takes about five minutes). Pull the wax off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Repeat on all desired areas.

Dry and Cure Times

This usually takes between 24-72 hours. Cure time is the amount of time it takes to cure completely. This may be less than a week for two-component hardwax oil products or up to a month for single-component products.

Extremely cold rooms will have the wax drying too quickly unless your warmer is set to a slightly higher temperature to offset this. Same way with warm rooms, if your room is too warm then your wax may need to be at a slightly cooler temperature so that it can set and dry properly once applied on the skin.

There are two different types: soft wax and hard wax. Although both do a good job of removing hair from the follicle, hard wax is better for smaller, more sensitive areas like your bikini line. Soft wax, on the other hand, is a better option for larger areas like your legs.

Begin by heating the wax in a wax warmer with an adjustable temperature control. It is best to heat the wax on the highest temperature. After 15 minutes or more, turn the temperature down to a cool working temperature, which, for hard wax, is about 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should I use baby powder before waxing? A sprinkling of baby powder after cleaning and oiling the skin will help to soak up any excess oils and help the wax adhere to the hair. If you're concerned you've used too much oil, this is also a good tip. Only use baby powder before your waxing treatment.

Wax should be thin enough to drip but not dripping too quickly. Wax dripping completely off the wax stick very quickly is too thin. Wax that doesn't drip off the wax stick at all or very slowly is too thick. Wax that has thick ribbons when stirred and drips off the wax stick in beautiful thick ribbons is just right.

Varathane Oil-Based Wood Stain: stain will dry in 2-4 hours, allow you to recoat after 2 hours if needed. However, you need to allow 8 hours of drying time before using an oil-based polyurethane and 24 hours before using a water-based polyurethane.

Can I use Hardwax Oil in my bathroom? Absolutely, they are not only moisture repellent, they are water resistant.

Yes, Feed-N-Wax is compatible with all cured (fully dry) clear coat finishes including; tung oil finish, polyurethane finish, varnish, and lacquer wood finishes. Feed-N-Wax adds a protective coating of beeswax and carnauba wax that helps prolong the life of the finish.

How long does 2 coats of polyurethane take to dry? ›

Water-based polyurethane requires at least two hours of dry time between coats, and you should only apply two coats in a day. It's important to remember that drying time is affected by temperature and humidity.

Put on the polish

Apply only one thin coat. Then, remove any dust nibs with 1,500-grit sandpaper or a piece of brown paper bag. Finally, using a soft cotton rag or polishing pad, buff the finish to a high shine using automotive paste wax, photo below, which has fine abrasives that polish the finish even further.

How many coats of Hard Wax Oil do I need? Under normal circ*mstances 2 thin coats is all that is required. Anything more than this will result in over application and the coating will be weaker not stronger.

The downsides are that the finish is relatively easy to scratch and the coating can grant the floor a bit unnatural, 'plastic' look. Penetrating oils soak into the core of the wood, enhance its grain and grant the floor a warmer, more natural appearance.

Apply THINLY using Fiddes Floor Oil Brush or a good quality bristle or synthetic brush, and lay EVENLY, following the direction of the grain. Leave to dry 4-6 hours in warm, dry well ventilated conditions, or preferably overnight. Apply as first coat, THINLY, allowing good ventilation.

Apply oil-based poly using a fine-bristled brush (natural or synthetic bristles) or a foam brush. Avoid inexpensive bristle brushes, as these tend to leave obvious brush strokes. Foam brushes are inexpensive (and disposable) and work well for most flat surfaces.

Buffing really does make it easy to get superb results on wood finished with polyurethane, even waterbased. That's what you'll learn about here. Buffing works beautifully, even if you've applied a finish that's not too smooth to begin with.

A foam brush is my favorite way to apply both oil and water based polyurethane vs a standard brush or wipe on poly because it's quick and easy to use, provides great coverage, and does not leave brush strokes.