Special
Producers of hard wax oil
DIFFERENCE FROM ORDINARY OIL LIES IN THE LOOK TIPS FOR THE APPLICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A WOODEN FLOOR TREATED WITH HARD WAX Do I treat a wooden floor with oil or hard wax oil? That’s a question which you’ve probably asked yourself several times. The real question is: When do you go for oil and when do you go for hard wax? If you opt for hard wax, you do that for a number of reasons which make this choice more suitable than ordinary oil. We look for the why and also give some tips for the application and maintenance.
The maintenance
The major difference between oil and hard wax lies in the way in which they treat the wood. Oil saturates the wood and makes it waterproof. Hard wax oil, however, does something more; indeed, it also fills open pores.
You tackle the maintenance and the care of a wooden floor with hard wax oil in accordance with a number of set rules. For instance, there is obviously the standard maintenance which is prescribed for every wooden floor i.e. the daily removal of dirt and dust. With a floor which has been treated with hard wax oil, the difference is that you can simply mop the floor. Obviously, you mustn’t pour out any buckets of water over the floor. A much better choice is a well wrung mop in combination with the use of a mopping agent which is prescribed for the type of floor used. In addition, don’t forget that maintenance oil needs to be applied two to three times a year. If there are worn or slippery patches or walkways have emerged, you should increase the frequency of the maintenance.
To fill the pores or not The main thing to remember is that sandpapering a wooden floor creates minor differences in height in the wood. You can see those differences in height as sorts of ‘pores’. If you use oil, then the oil covers these pores, but doesn’t fill them. Hard wax oil goes a step further and does fill the pores. The latter does have some advantages: The floor will attract less dirt and be easier to clean. Therefore, hard wax oil is no more than a combination of natural oils and waxes. You apply this hard wax oil directly to the untreated floor, usually in two coats to create a durable finish for the wooden floor. However, it is also possible to apply a 2-component oil in one coat.
What about maintenance? With both finishes you can assume that proper maintenance they will be resistant to dirt and damp. Furthermore, damage which isn’t too deep and stains which aren’t too stubborn can be rectified in patches. For scratches or marks which are not too deep, you therefore sandpaper the floor lightly. After that, you rectify the surface with hard wax maintenance oil.
What’s on the market ? Bona
The application Where you have to take particular care in the application of both products is to make sure that you use the correct amount of (hard wax) oil. After all, you want the oil to soak into the wood, but you don’t want any oil to be left behind as a layer on the floor. Indeed, this oil will set and it is precisely that which results in unsightly streaks. On the other hand, if you don’t use enough oil, the wooden floor will absorb dirt more easily and will look much less attractive. And so, what it boils down to is that you get that precisely beautiful, matt, and extremely natural finish that you’re looking for. Moreover, this also makes the saturated oiled floor resistant to damp and acids (think in practice of elements like dog urine or red wine stains). And so, what is the difference between an oiled floor and one which is treated with hard wax? The difference lies mainly in the look. Oil has the most matt and most natural look because the oil has penetrated into the floor. With hard wax, the hard wax lies both in and on the floor to create more of a satin gloss. Hard wax oil is best applied using a special hard wax cloth. If you want more gloss on the floor, you could use a polishing block or buffing machine.
Bona Hard Wax Oil is a natural oil which is modified to provide even better protection for wooden floors. It gives the warm look of an oiled floor and yields a durable and stain-proof surface which can be restored in patches and is easy to maintain. The safe and durable formula contains no cobalt or ketoximes and is largely odourless. It is easy to use. It is ideal for wooden floors with floor heating and it gives an open and breathable surface which reduces the risk of tacky edges. It is available in silk matt, matt, and extra matt. Bona Hard Wax Oil is
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