Wood oil and wood wax

Two products for wood protection and the perfect finish.

Everyone knows this. At the end of every furniture or wood project, the question arises as to the best wood protection and the perfect finish. Wood oil or wood wax, which should you choose? What are the differences and how do you proceed?

As lovers of solid wood, we at holz.biz focus on surface treatments that preserve the natural character of the wood. That is why this article deals primarily with oiling and waxing wood. Varnishing often covers up the grain, which is why MDF, blockboard, or multiplex are more commonly used for this purpose. In addition, oiling and waxing wood are relatively simple methods of surface finishing, whereas varnishing requires much more attention to detail.

Wood wax does not provide excessive protection for the wood, but only forms a thin protective layer, which is why several layers should be applied and the wood should be re-waxed regularly. However, wood wax gives the wood a beautiful shine and a pleasant smell, which is why it is very popular. Wood wax brings out the grain of the wood well.

Wood oil made from linseed oil varnish penetrates slightly deeper into the wood and thus provides thicker wood protection when it hardens. There are also hard wax oils and glazes that form even thicker protective layers. Whether a wood oil is also resistant to grease and water stains, whether it is suitable for cutting boards and children's toys, and to what extent it enhances the color of the wood depends on the product in question.

Here's how it works

  1. SANDING
    The wood should be sanded before oiling or waxing. The coarser the grain of the sandpaper, the better the care product can penetrate. Wood oils and waxes are less able to penetrate surfaces that have been sanded or planed too finely. It is important to find a happy medium where the surface feels good and at the same time allows the care product to penetrate optimally. In our experience, grit sizes of 180 to 220 are very suitable. However, it is always advisable to try it out on a scrap piece first. In any case, it is important to remove dried-on glue residue or dirt, as these will remain visible after oiling or waxing.
  2. CLEANING
    After sanding, the wood must be dusted and cleaned. Washing (with or without the addition of cleaning agents) is also very popular, as it results in an even more uniform surface appearance.
  3. APPLYING
    While wood wax is best applied with a cotton cloth, wood oil can also be applied with a pad or brush. It is important to apply a thin layer and not too much. If the furniture feels sticky at the end, it may be that too much oil or wax has been applied.
  4. REMOVING EXCESS
    When oiling or waxing, it is therefore particularly important to remove any excess. A cotton cloth or oil-absorbent cloth is suitable for this purpose. Under no circumstances should the wood be soaked, because if the oil penetrates too deeply into the wood, it will be trapped when the surface hardens. The application time for each product is usually indicated on the packaging.

Attention

Oil-soaked rags and cloths can spontaneously combust when exposed to air.

Therefore, wash used rags and brushes thoroughly and leave them to dry outdoors, or dispose of them in an airtight metal container. Always follow the safety instructions on the respective products.

We hope you enjoy oiling and waxing.

See you soon, your holz.biz team!

Wood oil and wood wax for wood protection

Attention

Oil-soaked rags and cloths can spontaneously combust when exposed to air.

Therefore, wash used rags and brushes thoroughly and leave them to dry outdoors, or dispose of them in an airtight metal container. Always follow the safety instructions on the respective products.

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