I’ve experimented with both wood wax and these “invisible” oils, and I’ll admit, the hype around the raw look is tempting. Here’s my two cents, step-by-step style:
1. Prep matters—a lot. If you don’t sand super evenly, those invisible oils will highlight every swirl and scratch. Ask me how I know.
2. Application is where things get interesting. Oils like Rubio Invisible go on thin, but if you overdo it or miss a spot, you’ll see it later. Buffing is your friend here, but it’s not as forgiving as a classic wax.
3. The initial look is fantastic—super matte, almost like bare wood. But, like others have said, give it a year or two and you’ll notice a subtle shift. Not orange, but not totally unchanged either.
4. Maintenance is easier with these oils than with wax, in my experience. Wax needs more frequent touch-ups and can get sticky in high-traffic spots.
I still lean toward invisible oils for that “just sanded” vibe, but I’ve learned to expect a little mellowing over time. If you’re after zero change, you might be chasing unicorns... but hey, the journey’s half the fun, right?
Totally hear you on the prep—those little sanding swirls are like neon signs under invisible oil. One thing I’ve noticed is that the “raw” look can get a bit washed out in certain lighting, especially with lighter woods. Wax gives a bit more depth, but it’s a pain to keep up with, especially if you’ve got pets or kids. I do wish there was a finish that truly didn’t shift color at all over time, but yeah, that’s probably wishful thinking. Anyone else ever try layering a hardwax oil over a base coat of invisible oil? Curious if that helps with longevity or if it just muddies the look...
Layering finishes always makes me a little nervous, honestly. I’ve tried hardwax oil over invisible oil on an old pine stair tread, thinking it’d give me the best of both worlds, but it actually ended up looking a bit patchy—almost like the wood couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Maybe it’s just me, but I kind of like how wood changes over time, even if it means a little yellowing or darkening. Isn’t that part of the charm? I get wanting to freeze that perfect “raw” look, but sometimes the patina tells its own story. Anyone else find that the upkeep with wax is actually kind of meditative, or am I just weirdly into chores?
Yeah, mixing finishes can get tricky fast. I’ve seen a lot of folks try to layer oils and waxes, hoping for magic, but usually it just ends up looking uneven—especially on softer woods like pine. Honestly, a little patina never hurt anyone. Maintenance with wax isn’t my favorite way to spend a Saturday, but I get the meditative thing… there’s something satisfying about buffing out a tread and seeing that shine come back. If you’re into the “raw” look, sometimes less is more—just pick one finish and stick with it.
Honestly, I get the whole “less is more” thing, but I’ve actually had better luck combining oil and wax—just not at the same time. I’ll do a couple coats of oil first, let it cure for a few days, then hit it with a thin layer of wax. It’s not magic, but it does give the wood a bit more protection, especially in high-traffic spots. I’m not super into the constant upkeep either, but with this method, I only have to re-wax every few months instead of every few weeks.
I’ve tried just oil before and it looked great at first, but after a while, water rings started showing up on the dining table. Maybe I’m just hard on furniture, but the combo seems to hold up better for me. Just gotta make sure the oil’s fully dry before adding wax or it gets gummy—learned that the hard way. If you’re looking to save some cash and time, this approach has worked out alright for me.
