Professional Painters and Decorators are faced with a huge choice of finishes when it comes to woodcare. It can be tricky to know what to use. Liberon, the experts in this field have come up with some good advice.
Oils
First off – oils. They’re amongst the oldest forms of wood finishing, and they give a natural, hardwearing finish with a beautiful sheen and silky smoothness.
Waxes
Next up – waxes. They’re really the ‘classic’ finish, and they’ve been used for centuries to protect and enhance wooden furniture. Made from natural ingredients, they produce a soft, satin sheen and give furniture a silky feel.
Varnishes
Finally, varnishes – the most durable and hardwearing of all the wood finishes. Varnishes are ideal for items in heavy use and where maximum protection is needed. They’re highly resistant to water, heat and alcohol, are quick and easy to apply with no maintenance required. They’re ideal for protecting furniture and floors from scratches and stains.
How Oils, waxes and Varnishes Compare with Each Other
So how do oils, waxes and varnishes compare with each other? Well, oils penetrate deeper than wax or varnish. Bear in mind that oils soak into the fibres of the wood and darken the timber. In terms of applied appearance, oils look more natural than waxes or varnish.
When it comes to application, oils are ideal for intricate shapes where brushing varnish or wax is tricky. They’re easier to apply and maintain than either wax or varnish.
In terms of what to use when, choose oil when the piece you’re working on isn’t exposed to heavy moisture, heat or abrasion, and when you value aesthetics and feel over maximum protection. Oil is fine to use on bare wood. Wax is not about protection, it’s about feel, subtle sheen and final touch. Use wax instead of oil or varnish when you want the most natural feel and a silky smooth surface. Wax is ideal for carvings, turned objects and decorative pieces you touch often. Avoid using wax if you want high water or high heat resistance and long term durability. You can also use it directly on bare wood. Varnishes are good for when you want a wooden surface to repel water and spills, and prevent stains from soaking in. This makes them ideal for bathroom furniture and kitchen surfaces, and when you don’t want ongoing upkeep. But, bear in mind that varnishes feel less natural and need more work to apply.
So how about the maintenance side of things? Well, oils are easy to maintain; wax is easy to repair and maintain by simply removing it and rewaxing, although it does need frequent reapplication; and varnishes are the hardest of the three finishes to repair.
The overall ‘in a nutshell’ conclusion is: use varnish for protection and durability; oil for a natural look and feel; and wax for a soft sheen and finishing touch.
Liberon’s extensive woodcare range includes around ten types of oils – too many to go into detail about here, but you can check them out online to find the one best suited to your specific project. Liberon’s waxes include a great selection of both solid and liquid varieties. And the choice of Liberon varnishes means the brand has you covered for both general and floor use.
Check out the Liberon range at https://liberon.co.uk/
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