And yeah, pets and fresh wax... that’s a whole other challenge.
Right? My dog managed to leave paw prints in the hallway wax job before it even set. As for mixing oil and wax, I did notice some cloudy patches after a while, but only in high-traffic spots. Maybe it depends on the type of oil? Ever tried re-waxing over an old oil finish? I always wonder if that’s asking for trouble or if it just needs more buffing.
Ever tried re-waxing over an old oil finish? I always wonder if that’s asking for trouble or if it just needs more buffing.
I’ve actually done that in my dining room—old tung oil base, then a layer of paste wax. It did get a bit streaky at first, but after some elbow grease and a few days, it mellowed out. Honestly, I think the trick is patience and not overloading the wax. Pets definitely make it a bigger gamble, though... those paw prints are almost inevitable.
Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of layering wax over oil. It always feels like you’re just trapping dust and grime between coats, especially in high-traffic spots. I’d rather stick with a fresh oil touch-up—less fuss in the long run, at least for me. Pets or not, that streaky look drives me nuts.
I totally get where you’re coming from about the streaky look—drives me up the wall too. But I keep wondering, is it just the wax itself, or is it how it’s applied? I’ve seen some folks swear by buffing like their life depends on it, but honestly, who has time for that every couple months? Especially if you’ve got pets running around and dragging in half the backyard.
I lean toward oil finishes myself, mostly because they’re cheaper in the long run and easier to touch up. Plus, if you mess up, you can just wipe it off and try again—no big deal. Wax always feels like this extra step that doesn’t add much unless you’re after that super glossy look (which, let’s be real, lasts about a week before someone scuffs it).
One thing I do wonder about: does anyone actually notice the difference between waxed and oiled floors unless they’re crawling around on their hands and knees? My partner claims she can tell, but I think she’s just trying to get out of helping with the upkeep...
Anyway, for high-traffic areas, oil seems to hold up better for me. Less buildup, less weird residue. And if something gets scratched or dinged, I just spot-treat instead of redoing a whole section. Maybe I’m missing out on some magical wax benefit, but my wallet and my sanity are both happier sticking with oil.
Curious if anyone’s found a budget-friendly wax that doesn’t turn into a dust magnet after two days. If so, maybe I’ll give it another shot... but until then, oil all the way for this household.
Wax streaks are the bane of my existence, honestly. I’ve tried a few “eco” waxes that promise no streaking, but unless you’re buffing like you’re prepping for a car show, it always ends up patchy or sticky in spots. And yeah, dust magnet is right—sometimes it feels like I’m waxing the floor just to make it easier to sweep up all the pet hair later.
Here’s what I’ve noticed after too many hours spent on my hands and knees (not by choice):
- Wax vs. Oil:
- Wax gives that classic shine, but it’s high-maintenance. Miss a spot and you get dull patches.
- Oil sinks in, looks more natural, and you can touch up without stripping the whole floor.
- I’ve never had anyone walk in and say, “Wow, love your wax job.” But they do notice when the floor looks beat up, which oil hides better.
- Application:
- Wax is super fussy about prep—if there’s any residue, it’ll streak.
- Oil is forgiving. Mess up? Wipe it off and try again.
- Buffing wax is a full-body workout. Oil just needs a rag and some patience.
- High-traffic zones:
- Oil wins here. Less buildup, easier to spot-fix scratches from pets/kids/random dropped tools (don’t ask).
- Wax can get grimy fast, especially near entryways.
- Budget:
- Good wax isn’t cheap, and you’ll use more than you think.
- Oils last forever if you store them right.
Funny thing—my partner swears she can tell the difference too, but I’m pretty sure she just likes the smell of fresh oil and not the work involved. Maybe there’s a placebo effect at play?
Only wax I’ve tried that didn’t turn into a dust trap was a beeswax/mineral oil blend, but even then, it needed constant touch-ups. Honestly, unless you’re restoring an antique or aiming for that museum-level shine, oil’s just less hassle.
If someone’s cracked the code on a low-maintenance wax that doesn’t attract every bit of fluff in the house, I’d love to hear about it... but until then, I’ll stick with oil and call it good enough.
