Wax just never holds up to the chaos in my experience.
I hear you, but I’ve always wondered—does anyone actually get that classic wax “patina” they talk about, or is it just a myth? My old oak floors seem to laugh at wax. Ever tried layering oil over old wax, or is that just asking for trouble?
I’ve actually seen that wax “patina” on some old farmhouse floors, but I swear it’s more about decades of neglect and dirt than the wax itself. There’s a difference between “charming patina” and “just plain worn out,” you know? My experience—if you try oil over old wax, it gets weird fast. The oil can’t soak in, just sits there all streaky and tacky. Had to strip a hallway once because the homeowner tried exactly that.
What’s funny is, I’ve met folks who swear by those hardwax oils, which are kind of a hybrid. Ever mess with those? They claim you get the best of both worlds, but I’m not totally convinced. Maybe it depends on how much foot traffic you’ve got... or how many muddy boots come through the door.
Tried hardwax oil on a small patch in my dining room—honestly, I was nervous because I’d read stories like yours about oil over wax going sideways.
That’s exactly what I was worried about. Ended up sanding back to bare wood first (which was a pain), but the hardwax oil actually turned out pretty nice. It’s holding up so far, but I don’t have kids or dogs tracking in mud every day. Not sure how it’d do in a busy hallway...“if you try oil over old wax, it gets weird fast. The oil can’t soak in, just sits there all streaky and tacky.”
Hardwax Oil: Worth the Effort?
That’s good to hear you took the time to sand back to bare wood. I know it’s a hassle, but skipping that step seems like a recipe for disaster, especially with old wax lurking underneath. I’ve seen floors where someone tried to shortcut that process—just a sticky mess that never really dries out.
I’m curious, did you notice any difference in how the oil absorbed across different boards? Sometimes older floors have spots that just drink up finish and others that stay patchy, depending on what’s been used over the years. I’ve run into that in some of my rentals, especially in high-traffic areas where people have “spot cleaned” with whatever was handy.
You mentioned you don’t have kids or pets—definitely makes a difference. In my experience, hardwax oil does hold up better than traditional wax, but heavy foot traffic (think entryways or hallways) can still wear it down faster than you’d expect. I had a unit where the hallway got scuffed up within a year, even with regular maintenance. The upside is, touch-ups are way easier than with polyurethane. You can just buff in a bit more oil and it blends pretty well.
How’s the sheen holding up? Some folks like that matte look, but I’ve noticed it can get dull if you don’t reapply every so often. Also, have you had any issues with water spots or staining? That’s usually my biggest concern in dining areas.
Anyway, sounds like you did it right—even if it took some extra elbow grease. If you ever decide to try it in a busier spot, I’d be interested to hear how it holds up over time.
Had a similar situation in one of my flips—old oak floors, patchy absorption after sanding because some boards had decades of polish, others barely touched. I’ve found if you hit those thirsty spots with a second light coat after the first soaks in, it evens out pretty well. As for sheen, yeah, hardwax oil starts nice and matte but can get dull in high-traffic spots unless you’re on top of maintenance. Water spots are still a thing if spills sit too long, but at least it’s not as unforgiving as poly when it comes to spot repairs. For dining rooms, I usually add an extra coat near the table just in case. Not perfect, but less stress than trying to strip and refinish every few years.
