Polish, Oil, or Wax? Which of the Wood Finishing is the Best?

Have you heard the popular saying, “the best is reserved for the end”? Sounds cliché, right? Well, it’s finishing and it’s always the last thing to be done when making your furniture.
Wood finishing is the last step of a wood project. It implies the application of stuff on the wood to make it shiny, to make it beautiful, and not only that, but to reduce quick moisture transfer to all parts of the wood. Wood finishing helps with protecting the wood from environmental damages. It also makes cleaning the wood easier since finishing has covered the pores, making it less likely for dirt to stay inside.

Types of Wood Finishing

There are two general types of wood finishing.
One is called the penetrating finish. The reason is that whatever product is applied on the wood soaks into the fibers and the pores to harden it. This makes it more beautiful and also serves as protection from natural damages like moisture. The common product used here is oil.

The other type is the surface wood finishing. This is when the product is applied on the surface of the wood to enhance and beautify the wood. This also guards the wood against moisture and wear. The major product used is polish.

This article will be focusing on what makes the wood shine – polish, oil, or wax? Stay with me.

Polish

Polishing falls under surface wood finishing. It’s the application of products on the wood to make it more beautiful. It leaves a solid, hard, and dense layer on the wood surface. We have three popular types of polishing.

Water-Based Polish

Water-based polish is used on distinctive types of wood. It is used on painted, bare, and stained surfaces. Wood pieces, handicrafts, and articles are often polished through this water-based method. It does not turn a yellow color over time like the oil-based finish.

Lacquer Polish

The lacquer polish is regarded as an all-rounder polish. It adds to the richness and aesthetic appeal of the wood. It improves surface protection and also dries faster. One of the key traits is that it dries quickly, making the wood hard, with a durable finish in minutes.

Polyurethane Polish

Polyurethane polish is a kind of polish that refines wood. It is used to prevent wood from damages aside from the magnificent look it gives. It is excellent for durability and resistance to water and chemicals.

Oil

Oil finish involves applying oil on the wood to prevent it against moisture, wear and tear, and scratches. The kind of oil applied could be natural or specially curated oil to perform specific duties on the wood. Tung oil and Linseed oil are mostly used to harden the wood and prevent water from getting into it.

Tung Oil

Tung oil is obtained from the Tung tree. It’s a good oil to use for kitchen furniture because it is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and supports food safety. It is also highly resistant to water and can be used to avoid deterioration and dryness in wood. One thing to note is that, though it is easy to apply, it takes more than 24 hours to dry up.

Linseed Oil

Linseed oil is gotten from the seeds of the flax plant. It is extracted through a high-pressure process. It can be used to thicken the surface of the wood when exposed to air. It is also used to enhance the natural appearance of the wood, providing a warm-like hue that darkens over time. The finish is more like a satin sheen rather than a glossy type.

Danish Oil

Danish oil is a combination of oils. It is often the combination of Tung and boiled Linseed oil with the addition of solvent liquid to make room for easy application, with either a cloth or brush. It dries up within 4–6 hours and can be used on different kinds of surfaces as it is a versatile oil.

Wax

After polish and oil, the third type of wood finishing is wax. It’s often used as a surface treatment, to enrich the appearance and also provide a cover of protection. It adds a glossy finish to wood by enriching the natural grain, color, or texture of the wood. There are three types of wax we will be discussing in this article.

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural polish for wood that doesn’t incur any harmful chemicals. It is often used on surfaces that come in contact with food in the kitchen. It comes in a creamy form which makes it easy to use. You don’t have to apply much on the wood as it lasts long. It also keeps away unwanted moisture.

Oil-Wax Blends

The oil-wax blend is a combination of either linseed oil or tung oil with wax for added effect. This combination ensures that the product does two things: it penetrates into the wood and also adds surface protection. This makes it long-lasting and provides a richer finish.

Carnauba Wax

Carnauba wax is gotten from the leaves of the carnauba palm. It is the hardest form of wax naturally available. When used on wood, it enhances it with a deep, rich, and warm shine. Since it is the hardest wax, it also acts as protection against dirt and water spots.

Conclusion

In conclusion, polish, oil, and wax all make wood shine, though they do so in different ways. Wax is mostly used on the surface to enhance a light-reflective layer. Oil penetrates the wood fibers, offering a richer color to the wood’s natural grain. Polish sits on the surface like wax but adds beauty and a dense layer to the wood. The 3 types of wood finishing are very essential for whatever you want to do on your wood

if you enjoy reading this article, you can also read how to hide defects when joining woods together