
Is waterlox really tung oil?
Second, Waterlox has long been thought of as tung oil. This is because the owner of the company has told people from at least as long ago as 1982 that Waterlox was tung oil. He told me the same in the several conversations I had with him.
What do you think about waterlox?
The only negative of the Waterlox is that it casts an slight orange hue to the butcher block – I like the look of the mineral oiled butcher block better. Wish I could have the best of both worlds!
Is waterlox a good finish for wood?
They have a real good and food safe finish for wood. I used it for a large 9′ by 4′ with a sink in it. It would be good to see your thoughts on it, and to include it in your review. Reply KTsays September 12, 2020 at 10:33 am Now do you still do wipe it monthly with the Waterlox too ? Like you would with mineral oil ? Reply Joe Lucuskisays
Is waterloxed butcher block smooth?
Hi Rose, yes our Waterloxed butcher block is pretty smooth – definitely smoother than when we were using mineral oil. The only negative of the Waterlox is that it casts an slight orange hue to the butcher block – I like the look of the mineral oiled butcher block better. Wish I could have the best of both worlds! Reply Melsays

How long does Waterlox last?
Waterlox finishes tend to wear very nicely and settle into a nice patina. They also will maintain a high level of protection even when worn (to a certain degree) due to the penetrating nature of the coatings. In general, the lifespan of an interior coating on a well-used surface will be 7-10 years.
Is Waterlox OK for bathroom countertops?
They provide wood surfaces with an incredibly appealing and durable finish that is food safe after curing and waterproof (does not water spot or leave rings). Waterlox is an excellent choice for almost any kitchen, bath or bar project because it is easy to apply, repair and maintain.
Is Waterlox a durable finish?
Waterlox brings out the natural beauty of wood grain and provides a durable, distinguished finish. It is an excellent choice for trim, ceiling, wall, door, window or furniture projects because it is easy to apply, repair and maintain.
Can Butcher Block be waterproof?
2. “They Aren't Water Resistant” With a coating of water-resistant, food-safe mineral oil like McClure's Organic Color Seal, water and moisture shouldn't be a problem for butcher block countertops. Water-resistant finishes are widely available and should prevent all moisture from seeping into hardwood countertops.
Is Waterlox the same as tung oil?
It is the same high quality tung oil used in all of our tung oil products. Use on bare wood only. Waterlox Pure Tung Oil is 100% pure tung oil with no additives or driers. Produces a matte sheen appearance.
Is Waterlox a polyurethane?
Waterlox URETHANE finishes are the ultimate in clear polyurethane finishes for indoor use and outdoor use (not in direct UV).
Does Waterlox harden wood?
Waterlox urethane formula provides a crystal clear, rock-hard wood finish for wood floors, paneling, trim, cabinets, doors, bar tops and furniture.
Do I need to sand between coats of Waterlox?
Sanding for adhesion purposes is not required between coats of Waterlox Original Tung oil finishes. This makes Waterlox unique and different from most surface finishes which need abrasion for inter-coat adhesion. Most surface finishes such as urethanes require the sanding process to create what's called a “profile”.
How long does it take for Waterlox to dry?
24 hoursWaterlox ORIGINAL Sealer/Finish will dry through exposure to oxygen (oxidation). Dry time before recoating is 24 hours. Poor ventilation, high humidity or cool temperatures may increase dry times.
What is the best sealant for butcher block countertops?
Polyurethane is among the most durable wood finishes for floors, countertops, and furniture. Water based polyurethane dries faster, doesn't smell, and is easier to clean up. The finish look and feels like a transparent film.
How do you waterproof a wood countertop?
The ideal waterproof protection is a food-safe natural wood oil or hardwax finish that adds no flavors, scents or toxins to your food. Pour a generous amount of linseed oil, mineral oil, tong oil or INTERBUILD Hardwax Wood Oil (natural wood oils) onto a clean, lint-free cotton cloth.
What finish is recommended for butcher block countertops?
Any finish is safe to use on a butcher-block table or countertop that will not be used as a cutting surface. If the surface won't be cut on, the answer is simple: Any film-forming finish you would normally choose for durability and appearance will be just fine (Photo 1).
Is Watco the same as Waterlox?
(Note that Watco is a “mixture” of oil and varnish while Waterlox is oil and resin that are cooked to create something different, varnish, with different characteristics.)
How do you seal butcher block countertops around a sink?
You definitely have to make sure to use silicone around the sink seam and also use a good wood sealer. I began considering using polyurethane around the sink area for extra water protection and then using a food-safe tung oil elsewhere.
Do you sand between coats of Waterlox?
Sanding for adhesion purposes is not required between coats of Waterlox Original Tung oil finishes. This makes Waterlox unique and different from most surface finishes which need abrasion for inter-coat adhesion. Most surface finishes such as urethanes require the sanding process to create what's called a “profile”.
Is Waterlox a good product?
I've done a lot of research on wood finishes. Having used the Waterlox finishing system many times I can testify that this unique blend of tung oil and resins is an excellent choice for new countertops, a kitchen island, re-finishing existing wood countertops, and other woodworking projects.
What is a waterlox original?from waterlox.com
Waterlox ORIGINAL Finishes are interior finishes that work as a finish for interior projects. Waterlox ORIGINAL Finishes are available in three gloss levels: gloss, semi-gloss and satin. Waterlox ORIGINAL enhances the color, richness, and grain of wood. It is a proprietary handmade Tung Oil and resin composition that yields a rich, hand-rubbed look that’s durable and easy to maintain.
Where is Waterlox made?from waterlox.com
The formulation has been in existence since the founding of the Empire Varnish Co. (now Waterlox Coatings) in 1910 in Cleveland, OH. It is still made by hand from pure tung oil and phenolic resins to create a truly beautiful, durable and one ...
What is Universal Tung Oil Sealer?from waterlox.com
The UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer (UTOS for short) was developed as a very low VOC, very low odor sealer option. It uses the same tung oil and resins as the ORIGINAL Sealer/Finish, but is delivered in a high solids, very low solvent option. It provides the same final color, beauty and depth that the ORIGINAL Sealer/Finish provides with some additional benefits. See the Advantages of the Universal Tung Oil Sealer guide for a little more information. Just like the ORIGINAL Sealer/Finish, the UTOS is an excellent sealer choice and can be used as a base coat under most of our other finishes (MARINE, ORIGINAL, URETHANE, H2OLOX, and VOC Compliant).
What is a high solids base coat sealer?from waterlox.com
A high solids base coat sealer made with Tung Oil. When used in conjunction with any Waterlox finish, it provides a durable, rich, distinctive finish that is easy to maintain, low odor, low VOC and easy to clean up.
How long does it take for Waterlox Original Finish to dry?from waterlox.com
Apply first coat of Waterlox ORIGINAL Finish with the grain and at the recommended spread rate. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
Is VOC compliant sealer solvent based?from waterlox.com
The VOC Compliant Sealer/Finish is still solvent-based. So they are technically lower in VOC content, they still have a strong odor. Some have argued that its worse than the ORIGINAL. At <350 g/L VOC, they may still not be available in some states and regions.
Is Waterlox urethane good for maple?from waterlox.com
The URETHANE is often recommended for maple or neutrally stained (whites and grays) to minimize the amber effect that ORIGINAL Sealer/Finish can cause. See our URETHANE page for more information.
What is waterlox varnish?
And Waterlox is varnish, specifically a phenolic resin/tung oil varnish. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
Is Waterlox tung oil?
Waterlox is Not Tung Oil, Even If It’s Made with Tung Oil. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations. A can of Waterlox. We have to have a common language or we can’t communicate. As I’ve written before, manufacturers of finishing products, especially those targeting amateurs ...
Is waterlox made with soybean oil?
Most varnishes are made with alkyd resins and soybean oil, so Waterlox is different. But it makes no more sense to call it tung oil because it’s made with tung oil than it would be to call bread “yeast” because it’s made with yeast or an airplane “wings” because it has wings. This is a puddle of Waterlox, dried hard on glass.
A Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a quick comparison table between Waterlox and Polyurethane butcher blocks:
In-depth Differences Between Waterlox And Polyurethane Butcher Block
The above comparison table has given you some basic ideas. Now let’s dive into more details. Here, I will give you a comprehensive comparison between Waterlox and Polyurethane sealant.
Which Sealant Is Best For You?
After the detailed discussion on the sealant, it’s time to decide which one is best for you, Waterlox or Polyurethane.
What to use to cover wood flakes?
The flakes absorb differently than the rest of the wood. Simplest thing is a light coat of oil. Tung, "boiled" linseed or waterlox. Wait until thoroughly cured (a week at the very least). Then topcoat with whatever oil varnish you choose. Waterbased is not a good choice here.
What bristles do you use for floor finish?
A lot of us here use china bristles to apply floor finish on our hands and knees. The lambswool will leave signs where it turns at corners etc, so you have a less than perfect smooth finish when it dries.
How many coats of gloss poly?
Timberknee suggest two coats of gloss poly and the last coat in matte.
Is shellac better than varnish?
So long as the coatings bond well to each other, I don't see a problem with a shellac wash coat. In fact, shellac has better water resistance than many varnishes. You wouldn't want a thick shellac layer usually since its more brittle. On some woods, there are very good reasons why you want the shellac. Pine.
Does shellac slow down waterlox?
If the shellac slows or prevents the penetration of the Waterlox, it would decrease a portion of this strong point, so I would prefer using the waterlock itself for first sealcoat.
Is epoxy stronger than minwax?
The epoxy gets much harder. My impression is that the minwax soaks in deeper, but the epoxy is certainly stronger. Whether either one would be useful on sound solid wood is doubtful. They would not penetrate much. On plywood, probably yes. It would soak in a good distance on the endgrain plys.
Is waterlox easy to repair?
The final coat used to be called gym floor finish, it is now called high gloss finish. The finish is easy to repair if damaged. Most polyurethane finishes are not easy to repair.
What woods does Waterlox look good on?from addicted2decorating.com
For my taste, that would be something like mahogany or walnut. Waterlox looks gorgeous on those woods. But if you’re using it on lighter wood, like my red oak, or white oak, or pine, etc., then there will be a definite orange undertone. Some people like that and are fine with it.
What color is waterlox?from addicted2decorating.com
Another big drawback with Waterlox for me, and one that I found over the last three years that I really didn’t want to live with, was the orange color it turned my red oak floors. Waterlox has a very definite amber color to it when it’s first applied, and it turns even more amber over time. But of course, the way it affects your floor depends completely on the type of wood. If you have a type of wood that’s just naturally beautiful on its own, and doesn’t need any kind of stain to make it pretty, AND that has a natural color that can stand to be warmed up a bit with an amber tone, then it’s perfect. For my taste, that would be something like mahogany or walnut. Waterlox looks gorgeous on those woods.
What is the best countertop for butcher block?from waterlox.com
The go-to choice for finishing butcher block countertops is Waterlox because it provides incredible durability and easy maintenance in highly used areas.
How long does it take for waterlox to dry on hardwood floors?from addicted2decorating.com
The cons of using Waterlox on hardwood floors. The main con to using Waterlox on your floors is simply the amount of time it takes. Each coat takes 24 hours to dry before recoating, and you need a minimum of three coats. Once you have applied all of your coats, you need to be gentle with the floors for at least seven days.
Is polyurethane good for hardwood floors?from addicted2decorating.com
Polyurethane is also the industry standard for hardwood floors. Yes, it’s probably because of the convenience of the fast drying and cure time, but it wouldn’t be the standard go-to sealer for hardwood floors if it was absolutely terrible, right?
Can you use waterlox with stain?from addicted2decorating.com
You CAN use Waterlox with stain. There are two options for that. You can either stain the wood first, allow it to dry completely, and then add the Waterlox on top. OR, you can mix stain with your first coat of Waterlox and then follow up with two coats of clear Waterlox.
Is Waterlox good for countertops?from waterlox.com
Our interior Waterlox products are great options for countertops, tabletops and vanities. They provide wood surfaces with an incredibly appealing and durable finish that is food safe after curing and waterproof (does not water spot or leave rings). Waterlox is an excellent choice for almost any kitchen, bath or bar project because it is easy ...
How many coats of Waterlox Original Marine Finish?
For exterior projects, Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish can be used as a sealer. Apply 1-2 coats to seal/prime the substrate, followed by 2 coats of our Waterlox Original Marine Finish (see the Marine Finishing Guide).
Does waterlox get lumpy?
The only bummer with waterlox is that it will start to get lumpy in the can before you get it all used. The trick to keeping that from happening is to get a couple pounds of glass marbles and as you remove finish from the can, add marbles until there is not much air left in the can.
Is polyeurethane waterproof?
It's not waterproof but is very durable. I use lacquer on my hand mirrors. Although it's not water proof it is pretty water resistant. The reason I changed to lacquer is repairability. I can easily repair damaged finish problems on lacquer. Polyeurethane requires that I sand it all off and start over.
Can you remove waterlox finish?
1Once the project is completed, removing the finish can be very difficult as Waterlox will alter the appearance of porous substrates. Apply all intended coats to a small, inconspicuous area or scrap piece of substrate from the project and allow to dry properly prior to the actual application. Final color effect is always influenced by the texture, porosity, and by the method of application and will be difficult to reverse once finished. For slate, brick, stone and concrete, you may need only one coat to penetrate and seal.
Is laquer bad for game call?
As a game call maker I can assure you that laquer is one of the poorest game call finishes there is. It will handle minimal water contact, but prolonged soakings will cause damage unless you're using fancy catalyzed stuff (not Deft). It scratches easily. Most importantly, bug spray will absolutely turn it to goo.
What sheen should I use for waterlox?
Waterlox comes in three different sheens but it’s recommended that you start with Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish (available {here})for the first coats and just do the last coat in either the satin or high-gloss finish if you want a different sheen. I’m not a big fan of shiny countertops so after three coats of the Sealer/Finish, I applied a coat of the Waterlox Satin (available {here})which is less glossy. The color of the butcher block definitely changes depending upon the treatment that you choose with the Waterlox making the butcher block a deeper, just slightly more orangey color than the mineral oil.
What is the least expensive treatment for butcher block?
There are a lot of options for products to treat butcher block, but one of the simplest and least expensive is mineral oil.
How to seal butcher block with mineral oil?
To seal butcher block with mineral oil, you simply apply the mineral oil generously, let it soak in, and wipe off the excess. You need to do it fairly regularly at first but then only about once a month after you’ve gotten through several applications. But here’s the problem that I found with mineral oil. Any paper that you lay down on it will absorb the oil from the butcher block and stain the paper. Even if it’s been weeks since you oiled it. I’d love to say that our kitchen is always neat as can be with no random school papers strewn about but…not so much. After several papers got ruined by laying them down in the wrong place, I knew that mineral oil wasn’t going to work for us.
What color is a butcher block?
The color of the butcher block definitely changes depending upon the treatment that you choose with the Waterlox making the butcher block a deeper, just slightly more orangey color than the mineral oil.
Does Ikea have butcher block?
That’s true for some of IKEA’s countertops but they also have some options that are solid wood butcher block.
Is waterlox better than oil?
Honestly, I prefer the lighter look of the oiled countertop to the darker Waterloxed countertop but with all of the other advantages of Waterlox (no more oil spots on stray kitchen papers, no more monthly maintenance, and better water resistance) it was the way to go for us.
Is Ikea BB solid wood?
Most IKEA BB counters are laminated and not solid. Using an oil over time may swell the substrate of particle board. There are some decent solid wood countertops through Lumber Liquidators that are solid wood and will do much better over time. With IKEA you only have about 1/4 inch of actual wood.
What woods does Waterlox look good on?
For my taste, that would be something like mahogany or walnut. Waterlox looks gorgeous on those woods. But if you’re using it on lighter wood, like my red oak, or white oak, or pine, etc., then there will be a definite orange undertone. Some people like that and are fine with it.
What color is waterlox?
Another big drawback with Waterlox for me, and one that I found over the last three years that I really didn’t want to live with, was the orange color it turned my red oak floors. Waterlox has a very definite amber color to it when it’s first applied, and it turns even more amber over time. But of course, the way it affects your floor depends completely on the type of wood. If you have a type of wood that’s just naturally beautiful on its own, and doesn’t need any kind of stain to make it pretty, AND that has a natural color that can stand to be warmed up a bit with an amber tone, then it’s perfect. For my taste, that would be something like mahogany or walnut. Waterlox looks gorgeous on those woods.
How long does it take for waterlox to dry on hardwood floors?
The cons of using Waterlox on hardwood floors. The main con to using Waterlox on your floors is simply the amount of time it takes. Each coat takes 24 hours to dry before recoating, and you need a minimum of three coats. Once you have applied all of your coats, you need to be gentle with the floors for at least seven days.
Is polyurethane good for hardwood floors?
Polyurethane is also the industry standard for hardwood floors. Yes, it’s probably because of the convenience of the fast drying and cure time, but it wouldn’t be the standard go-to sealer for hardwood floors if it was absolutely terrible, right?
Can you use waterlox on hardwood floors?
The pros of using Waterlox on hardwood floors. I was drawn to Waterlox initially for three reasons. First, it’s a tung oil product, and tung oil has been used to seal hardwood floors for a very long time. With Waterlox, you get the benefit of the beauty of a floor finished with tung oil, plus the long-wearing durability ...
Can you use waterlox with stain?
You CAN use Waterlox with stain. There are two options for that. You can either stain the wood first, allow it to dry completely, and then add the Waterlox on top. OR, you can mix stain with your first coat of Waterlox and then follow up with two coats of clear Waterlox.
Is waterlox a good sealer?
Second, Waterlox is a penetrating sealer, so it really gets down into the wood to protect it.
