Hard Wax Oil. Is this the best finish for your wood?

In this video Simon passionately describes the features and benefits of using hard wax oil to finish bare wood.

In 1987 Simon Gilboy was indentured for 4 years as an apprentice French Polisher by Dartington Trust. After completing his apprenticeship he then spent two years in full time education studying the art of traditional signwriting. He now has decades of experience under his belt.

Video Chapter Index
00:01 What is a Hard Wax Oil?
01:27 Theory of applying hard wax oil
01:49 What does Hard Wax Oil look like on oak?
03:20 One, two or three applications?
03:55 What's so good about Hard Wax Oil?
04:32 Who else makes Hard Wax Oil?
05:06 How do you apply Hard Wax Oil?
05:34 What do you clean the brushes with after you have finished applying the Hard Wax Oil?
05:54 You spot repair an area with Hard Wax Oil

[lizhodges]

I’m just waiting for my order from you (to Australia). I can’t wait to get started. Your videos are so informative 🤩

[SarahZunigaMusic]

You guys are my favorite YouTube channel!

[KevinAmatt]

I’ve used it on church floors. Started with a couple of thin coats (with white spirit) then one or two full coats.

[elizebohmer]

I live in South Africa. Do you have any distributors here? Thank you

[JaW]

Great to see such giddy enthusiasm from a true professional.😀

[fastra]

Can I use this on oak kitchen worktops that have already been oiled, every 6 months, for the last 3 years?

[angelinaklineburgess]

I have a sewing box with a slated top. It’s from about 1900 or before and I am repairing and refinishing. It will hold threads, scissors, cloth pin cushions, buttons etc.. It is a constant discipline to keep anything from getting on cloth or thread as there can be a permanent stain. If thread/cloth/knitting yarns and all of the above are put into a sewing box finished with a hard wax oil, will there be a transfer stain?

[Nettle]

Nice video! Is there anything special about the process of how this oil is mixed together? Cheers:)

[jgprice]

Ive used hard wax oil a lot recently and to be honest it does the job. Very very easy to apply, its a natural finish, retains the look and feel of the wood, very hydrophobic which is good and it’s inexpensive when compared to artificial alternatives.

So far ive used it on lamp bases and pine stair treads tbh.

[marcelomendez]

commenting from USA 🇺🇸- would like to endorse gilboys hard wax oils and wax polish as best on the market. have used odie's, rubio, etc., and gilboy's blows them out of the water. it really does give a superior finish in the wax polish

[andychapman]

Could you apply this to seasoned old oak floor, or would you have to sand it all back first? Thank you

[SarahZunigaMusic]

Sir, I was wondering what your favorite way to apply the hard wax oil onto a wooden desk/table is?

[maxshep]

Ooohh, perfect timing! I have an old 1920's or 30's oak fire surround that i'm stripping back and restoring, and i was wondering how to finish it... I might give hard wax oil a go, it looks like it gives a fantastic professional looking finish that even an eejit like me can apply! 😂

[gav]

I have used Osmo since it was a niche product. While I tend to "stick to what I know", I will certainly give your hard wax oil a go, on the next likely candidate to pass through my workshop.

[antonzemanek]

Thank you for this very interesting topic!
How actually easy is to repair it if applied to a floor?
I presume after some rather short time it will be worn and mixed with some dirt, especially at the entrance of the room.
So what exactly you need to do in order to make such a repair?

[neverlate]

Great video. Just ordered your hard wax oil on etsy. Can't wait to try it on my dining table top which I just finished restoring. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us 🙏

[jonathanm]

Based on this very recommendation/advertisement I ordered this product. I thought it would be excellent, but I'll never know because these guys just cancelled my order. Why? Well, after a bit of email back and forth, they told me that the specified $20AUD for freight to Australia doesn't go anywhere near covering the cost. So Gilboy's just cancelled my order. Poor form. And I'm three weeks behind on the project 'cos I've now got to find something else.

Gents, if you can't mail it to Oz (or maybe anywhere else), then don't offer the service.

[billtipton]

I am using this oil now on a small project with inexpensive plywood. I have made a rubber, and use it to apply the oil. Being so very gentle, I sand with 2500 & 3000 grit paper between the three coats. I am getting a beautiful finish! I look forward to using this oil on upcoming projects made with a variety of hardwoods.

[christopherthaley]

Thanks. Love your videos. Could this be put on over French polish? I have step stool I made recently that I finished following your French polish videos; it looks beautiful, but I need to recoat it with something more durable (French polish probably wasn't the best choice--but I couldn't resist at least seeing it like that first!)

[Kathyoftheglade]

i do a lot of topographic carvings of states and love to use walnut and paduak woods. ive tried a few different coatings for these. i prefer yours. thank you from the US. and the sunflower seeds are planted in our garden.