Hard Wax Oils..Do they age well?

[Kenmf]

Hi,

For those who have used hard wax oils, how have they aged? How do they look on maple and ash vs darker wood like walnut, sapele as time has past?

I’ve recently stripped two coffee tables, one walnut finished with Waterlox years ago and one Bolivian rosewood table finished with Behlen’s rockhard varnish. Both had significant yellow, orange and an overall dingy appearance. I also need to finish a maple slab table.

I have done samples with Rubio and Osmo, both of which I like. My concern is that they will amber up too much like the other finishes did. I believe Osmo is vegetable oil base and Rubio is blo, not sure how much if any difference it makes.

I’m specifically interested in the non pigmented forms.

I’d appreciate any input thanks
Ken

 

[Michael Kellough]

Not absolutely sure but I think both Rubio and Oslo use highly refined linseed oil. Not cheap hardware store BLO that turns dark as it ages.

In fact, clear Osmo PolyX hard wax oil fades in sunlight.

 

[Kenmf]

Thanks Michael,

I’m just trying to see if I can find something that doesn’t amber and darken too much. So far, I’m a bigger fan of Osmo polyx...seems to amber the wood a bit less than Rubio. Time will tell.

I’m also going to try a water based hard wax oil on some ash soon, ash has a difficult time not turning dark yellow with oil finishes.

Ken

 

[4nthony]

I’m just trying to see if I can find something that doesn’t amber and darken too much. So far, I’m a bigger fan of Osmo polyx...seems to amber the wood a bit less than Rubio. Time will tell.

Rubio has a "natural" tint that uses white and yellow pigments to prevent wood from becoming amber. It does a good job of maintaining the original color of the wood, though it will lighten any of the darker grain patterns.
https://www.rubiomonocoatusa.com/blogs/blog/pure-vs-natural

 

[mrFinpgh]

Osmo has a product similar to what [member=75283]4nthony[/member] mentions above.  Same idea - a little bit of white pigment to offset the ambering effect of the oil.

I did some samples in QS White Oak and Ash.. it is quite impressive how little the color shifts.

 

[John T.]

Someone mentioned to me that they think the Polyxoil tinted product is being discontinued. I've never used it but don't like how white oak yellows with the clear Polyxoil. I'm going to try the Rubio stuff Anthony posted.

Osmo has a product similar to what [member=75283]4nthony[/member] mentions above.  Same idea - a little bit of white pigment to offset the ambering effect of the oil.

I did some samples in QS White Oak and Ash.. it is quite impressive how little the color shifts.

 

[mrFinpgh]

Someone mentioned to me that they think the Polyxoil tinted product is being discontinued. I've never used it but don't like how white oak yellows with the clear Polyxoil. I'm going to try the Rubio stuff Anthony posted.

They changed up the formula a little. I believe it had to do with reducing the % of white pigment to avoid too much buildup in the pores.  And I believe the name of the new one is 'raw'  as opposed to 'neutral' (the old formula).

I've got some coming in this week for making up some samples.

 

[smorgasbord]

Interesting that they used linseed oil when tung oil is known to be superior in almost every way, except cost.