Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is a blend of natural, quick drying, durable waxes and oils designed to be used on wooden flooring and other interior wood surfaces, such as solid wood worktops, doors etc. It provides a durable, water-resistant finish that won’t peel or flake.
It’s available in both clear and colour-tinted versions; you can buy the clear one with a matt, satin or gloss finish, but the colour-tinted ones are only available in a satin finish currently. However, if you really want a gloss finish, you could always put a coat of the clear gloss over the top of your coloured satin if you wanted to. They also sell little 5ml sachets of the tinted products, so you can test the colour out without having to invest in a big tin of the product, which is a neat idea.
Where To Buy
You can order Fiddes Hard Wax Oil direct from the company on their web site (www.fiddes.co.uk), or from various online merchants such as Next Day Paint. Alternatively, some Crown Decorating Centres stock it, and if your local one doesn’t, they’ll be able to order it in from one of the ones that does. A 2.5L tin is going to cost you somewhere between £65-80 (or less if you have a really good relationship with your Crown manager!), depending on where you get it from, which compares favourably with Osmo Polyx-Oil, for example.
My Fiddes Hard Wax Oil Review
I’ve used Fiddes Hard Wax Oil on a couple of jobs in the last two months, and got on very well with it. The first job was renovating some old tongue-and-groove pine floorboards (click here to read about how to renovate old floorboards), and the second was oiling some new oak veneer doors.
Using the product is very simple. It is important to make sure your surface is thoroughly cleaned and sanded, and that the area is well ventilated – open all the doors and windows if you can, as Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is potent stuff!
Then it’s simply a case of applying your first coat – no need to thin the product, no need for any sort of primer first. Give the Fiddes Hard Wax Oil a good stir before you start, and at regular intervals while you’re working, and then apply with a good quality natural or synthetic brush, following the wood grain.
I used a 2” Kana Tank brush (available online) on these wooden floorboards, as it’s designed for this type of product and holds a lot of the oil, allowing me to work at a good speed. You do need to be careful to spread it thinly though to achieve a nice even finish. That’s my top tip – don’t put Fiddes Hard Wax Oil on too thick! In theory it then takes 4-6 hours to dry before you can recoat; I found on the floorboards that it took a bit longer, so left it overnight, but that property was cold.
Once the first coat is dry, apply a second thin coat – you can get 20-24 m² out of a litre, it does go a long way, and as I said before, you’re better off spreading it too thinly than too thickly. As a rough guide, I got two coats on 10 doors from a 2.5L tin, using a 2” Kana Tank brush – there was a small amount left over, but then two of the doors were part-glazed so didn’t need as much.
When the second coat is thoroughly dry, give the whole area a good buff or very light sand, and it will feel as good as it looks!
The Finish
It’s lovely! It really brings out the natural grain in the wood, but to get it feeling as good as it looks, I’d definitely recommend a light sand between coats and again at the end with really fine sandpaper.
Final Thoughts on Fiddes Hard Wax Oil
I like this, it’s a nice product to use and gives a lovely finish. Just remember not to put too much on (thin coats!) and to give a very light sand after each coat, and you’ll have no problems with it. I’d be very surprised if there is anyone out there who has tried this wood oil and doesn’t like it.
Review Summary
Fiddes Hard Wax Oil Review - Decorator's forum UK
Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is a blend of natural, quick drying, durable waxes and oils designed to be used on wooden flooring and other interior wood surfaces, such as solid wood worktops, doors etc.
Product Brand: Fiddes
4.9
Pros
- Durable.
- Water-resistant.
- Won’t peel of flake.
- Available in different finishes and tints.
- Testers available so you can make sure you’re happy with the colour before committing.
- Accelerated drying time means you can apply two coats in a day.
- Brings out the grain.
- Cheaper than the alternatives.
Cons
- I genuinely can’t think of any.
FAQs
What oil does not darken wood?
All wood oils change the colour of wood very slightly. I love the way oil makes wood look, but if you don’t want to change the colour of the wood at all, then a clear matt varnish might be the way to go.
What is the best oil for old beams?
The first thing to bear in mind is that you can’t use oil over previously sealed timber, unless the last product used was also oil, or you sand it right back. Providing your old beams meet those criteria, go with Fiddes Wax Oil. You’ll find it easy to use, it looks fantastic, and it’s thin enough to penetrate the wood.
What oil brings wood back to life?
Any good wood oil brings wood back to life. There are two or three brands on the market now that all do a brilliant job. My favourite is Fiddes Wax Oil.
How to tell if wood is varnished or oiled?
All you need to do is put some white spirit on a cloth and rub it against the surface. If it’s oil, the white spirit will remove some of the material. If it’s varnish, the white spirit won’t touch it.
What Another Decorator Thinks
Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is designed to treat any internal timber, such as veneered doors, flooring, or oak trim. You can buy this product online by clicking here in various finishes, including matt, satin and semi-gloss. It is also available in a few tints. Drying time for Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is between 4 and 6 hours, meaning it is possible to apply multiple coats in a day
Fiddes themselves are based in Cardiff and all their products are manufactured in the UK. Everyone has heard of Osmo Oil, but Fiddes is starting to gain traction in the UK. Many stores are now stocking their range, including Crown Decorating Centres, Paint Shed, and dozens of others.
Fiddes Hard Wax Oil Review
Let’s get into the review. Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is a very viscous material, which makes it a lot quicker and easier to use than a comparable product. Also, unlike some other wax oils, you don’t need to worry too much about applying coats that are too generous, as the timber tends to absorb it anyway. However, you should always go sparingly when applying any product to veneer.
You don’t need to overwork this product either, which is refreshing. You just sort of get it on then lay it off. No issues when trying to keep a wet edge, everything blends in beautifully. You need to try this stuff to fully appreciate it.
The results are gorgeous! It brings out the grain and leaves a very rich and luxurious finish which is to die for. It is very durable once cured and you can apply maintenance coats as you need to.
Below is a cabinet I’m working on now. The first photo is the timber after it has been sanded. The second is after one coat of Fiddes Hard Wax Oil. The photos don’t do it justice, but you get the idea.
Conclusion
All I can do is compare Fiddes Hard Wax Oil to Osmo because I know every decorator has used Osmo. Fiddes is genuinely better. I think the finish is nicer (although Osmo does give very good results). Fiddes is a lot easier to use and it dries slightly quicker. Oh, it’s cheaper too!! What’s not to love?
Our floors are old and pine, so absorb at differing rates (and a nightmare to stain in general). I’ve found using a cloth to buff off excess, usually around 30mins after application stops tacky areas happening but also acts as a buffer for the floor.
And if some areas remain tacky. Dabbing a little white spirit on a cloth then going over the tacky part thins it slightly and takes off the excess.
I saw this;
What oil does not darken wood?
All wood oils change the colour of wood very slightly. I love the way oil makes wood look, but if you don’t want to change the colour of the wood at all, then a clear matt varnish might be the way to go.
Just had to reply as Fiddes also do an “Ultra Raw Wax Oil” which I have to say once dry it gives the appearance of untreated wood and matt finish showing the grain with little or no colour change on oak as I have seen myself. I spent ages trying to find something to treat solid oak doors with that wouldn’t change the colour, darken or spoil the fantastic look and Fiddes Ultra Raw works perfectly.