At the time of writing this review, Barrettine ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil is a new product. I’m a professional decorator, and I’ve had the pleasure of using it on my last couple of jobs, so I thought I’d share a quick review. It is available to buy online in matt or satin. ArmourFlex is described as “tough, durable and water-repellent, containing a blend of natural oils and waxes.”
You might use ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil on furniture, veneer or even flooring. It’s suitable for most types of timber. A minimum of two coats should be applied to bare surfaces. The recoat time is four to eight hours, depending on humidity, but it takes around sixteen hours for Barrettine ArmourFlex to harden enough to cope with foot traffic.
My Barrettine ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil Review
A product like this needs to perform well on a couple of fronts. Firstly, it needs to protect timber from contaminants such as dirt, water, grease and even cleaning products. It also needs to look good. Even though ArmourFlex is clear, hardwax oils slightly change the colour of timber. It’s a little bit like how wet-look gel changes the colour of someone’s hair.
ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil is no exception. It penetrates the timber slightly and enhances the natural colour. The finish is deep and rich, and the grain is highlighted.
That said, it doesn’t penetrate the timber as deeply as some of the thinner products do. This makes it a good option for use on veneer, as there is less risk of ArmourFlex penetrating too deeply into the veneer and causing it to lift.
The ease of use is good too. It flows nicely from a brush and is easy to work into your timber. ArmourFlex doesn’t dry too quickly, which means you’ve got time to go back over your work if you spot a missed area. Another advantage of the slower drying time is that you avoid overlap marks on large surfaces like doors or floors.
Finally, there’s the durability. As mentioned in the opening section, ArmourFlex can be used on most internal timber, including floors. I haven’t used it on a floor yet, but one of my best mates has, and he was throwing furniture around justtwo days later. No scuffs or marks. So, if Barrettine ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil stands up to being used on a timber floor, you can be confident it will last on a door or a piece of furniture. I have every faith that the finish will last.
Where to Buy
As it’s a new product, there are limited merchants who stock ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil. Your best bet is to look online.
Review Summary
Barrettine ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil Review - Decorator's forum UK
A wax oil used to protect interior woodwork. This looks fantastic on veneered doors or oak trim, but you can also use it on softwood and floors.
Product Brand: Barrettine
4.7
Pros
- Durable,
- Water repellent.
- Easy to keep clean after it’s cured.
- Easy to apply.
- Looks great.
- It really brings out the grain.
- Safe for use on veneer.
- No brush or roller marks.
Cons
- It isn’t yet widely available.
Barrettine Armourflex Ultimate UV Protection Oil Review
Barrettine ArmourFlex Ultimate UV Protection Oil feels like the Hardwax Oil, except it has been developed for use on exterior wood. It’s just as easy to use, and it has the same sort of lovely, rich finish.
I like using oil on wood anyway, but there’s something special about applying it to exterior wood. Too many people smother their wood with satin or varnish because they don’t realise just how good oil looks. It’s lovely, and it adds so much character to a building.
However, one of the issues with using oil outside is that it doesn’t last very long. It seals the wood, is UV-resistant, and is breathable, so it helps protect the wood from rotting. But you generally need to apply a maintenance coat every year, or at the very least, every eighteen months.
Barrettine ArmourFlex Ultimate UV Protection Oil is different. It’s hydrophobic, which means it repels water. You can see from this image that the water beads up straight away.
This better protects the wood, and it helps improve its longevity. I painted a gate at my house with it last spring (seventeen months ago), and I would have normally applied a maintenance coat by now, but I don’t feel like I need to. It still looks like new, and I have every faith that it’s going to last the winter.
The other thing it does, because it’s hydrophobic, is stay cleaner for longer. Don’t get me wrong, it will get dirty if you leave it long enough. But less dirt will stick to a hydrophobic wood oil than to a standard wood oil.
I can’t tell you how long its lifespan is because I only started using it last year, but it definitely lasts longer than the others I’ve used. For that reason alone, I think it’s worth using Barrettine ArmourFlex Ultimate UV Protection Oil over any of the other products on the market.
Summary
Barrettine Armourflex Ultimate UV Protection Oil Review
An exterior wood oil with UV protection. Apply via brush, roller, or cloth.
Product Brand: Barrettine
4.9
Pros
- Durable,
- Water repellent.
- Easy to keep clean after it’s cured.
- Easy to apply.
- Looks great.
- It really brings out the grain.
- Lasts longer than other oils.
- Stays cleaner for longer.
Cons
- Not widely available.
FAQs
Is it better to oil or varnish wood doors?
It depends on what finish you’re looking for and what state your doors are in. But for me, wood oil looks much better and leaves you with a natural finish. Varnish seems to take something away from the timber.
What oil keeps wood from rotting?
All wood oils help protect timber for a period, but Barrettine ArmourFlex Ultimate UV Protection Oil is the only one I’ve used that is hydrophobic. This means if a surface coated with Barrettine ArmourFlex Ultimate UV Protection Oilgets wet, the water will instantly bead up and run off. The oil actually repels water.
What is the best oil for interior timber?
There are a couple of good brands of wood oil available now. For interior wood, I genuinely think Barrettine ArmourFlex Hardwax Oil sets the bar. It’s very quick and easy to apply, leaves a gorgeous finish, and you can apply two coats in a day.
Is wood oil better than stain?
It’s different. Stain changes the colour of the timber, whereas oil enhances the natural appearance of the wood. If you have nice timber and really want to make the most of it, then wood oil is the way to go. It looks fantastic.
Can you put too much oil on wood?
The worry isn’t applying too much wood oil overall, but rather applying too much in a single coat. If you do apply a thick coat, some of the oil will sit on top of the timber and could fail to cure properly or wear prematurely. Multiple thin coats generally don’t cause any problems.
The product sounds great, very detailed review and I’m sure product has its place a slight word of warning using on venner doors eg Howdens state oils/wax not to be used except osmo oils.
If used and venner lifts now or in the future then it’s going to be problem time.
Caution is the name of the game with venner doors.
Please double check if apply any non standard products to new doors.