How to hard-wax oil a wood floor
How to hard-wax oil a wood floor
Hard-wax oil is like something between varnish and oil. It provides a warm wood colouration similar to oil, but leaves a protective film on the surface, making it more resistant to water, chemicals and general wear.
Preparation
Avoid direct sunlight on the floor; draw the curtains if necessary. Avoid a cross-draft to reduce the spread of dust particles, and ensure that the material doesn’t dry too quickly. Vacuum-clean the floor carefully.
Tools
You'll need a good-quality short-haired mohair roller, an extension bar, a brush, and a roller tray. Have some paper and a plastic bag handy in case of spills, and somewhere to place the tools when you're finished with them.
Follow the steps below
How to hard wax oil a wood floor
Take a few moments to watch our step-by-step video on how to hard wax oil a wood floor.
Preparation - edge and corner application
- Stir the container thoroughly, and pour some of the hard wax oil into the roller tray.
- Imagine the floor divided in sections, and plan how you will apply. Start by applying hard-wax oil to the corners and edges of the floor.
2.a Application
- Smooth out the edge application with a roller, and roll the hard-wax oil out to the remaining part of the section. Apply some pressure on the roller to ensure a thin application. Distribute across - and smooth out along - the grain.
- Continue with the edges on the next section, and roll the centre. Overlap with the previous section by about 20 cm.
- After treating the entire floor, allow it to dry fully - for 6-8 hours.
- Lightly abrade the surface using abrasive grit 150 (or finer if necessary) or with a green pad.
2.b Application
- Carefully vacuum the floor and wipe away the final fine dust with a damp cloth.
- Apply another coat of hard wax oil as described previously.
- For best result don't put the overlap on the same place.
- Allow to dry fully before use, minimun 18 hours normally 1-2 days.
Remember to place oily cloths and similar oily material in a bag with water or in another safe place. There is a risk of them catching fire.
Tip: You can carefully put furniture back into the room at this point but wait at least one week before laying carpets. Enjoy your renovated floor!