“Oil’s a lifesaver for quick turnarounds. It’s not as glossy, but it sure keeps things looking fresh without all the elbow grease.”
Totally get this. I tried wax on my first rental—looked great for about a week, then every scratch showed. Switched to oil after that and never looked back. Less shine, but way less hassle.
Yeah, oil’s definitely the move for rentals. I used to obsess over that shiny finish, but tenants just aren’t as careful. Oil hides a lot and touch-ups are a breeze. Sometimes simple really is smarter.
Oil hides a lot and touch-ups are a breeze. Sometimes simple really is smarter.
- Oil’s forgiving, for sure. I’ve seen it save a scratched-up oak floor more than once.
- Wax can look gorgeous, though—there’s something about that soft glow. But yeah, it’s not as practical when you’ve got high turnover or folks dragging furniture.
- Does anyone here actually use a combo of oil and wax for rentals? Curious if that’s just overkill or if it gives the best of both worlds...
I’ve actually tried oil with a wax topcoat in a couple of my flips. It does look amazing—super rich, almost velvety—but honestly, it’s more work than I’d want for a rental. Wax scratches up fast if people aren’t careful, and reapplying isn’t quick. Oil alone is just easier to keep looking decent, especially when tenants aren’t gentle. If you’re after low maintenance, oil wins every time... but man, that wax glow is hard to beat.
I get where you’re coming from about rentals and the upkeep hassle, but I’ve found that a good hardwax oil can hit a sweet spot between the two. It gives you some of that depth and glow without the constant maintenance of a pure wax topcoat. Not as bulletproof as straight oil, sure, but it’s held up surprisingly well in my high-traffic hallway. Maybe worth a look if you’re after a bit more character but don’t want to baby the floors.
