That’s interesting, because I’ve been stressing about the tackiness with wax too—thought maybe I was just doing something wrong. The oil thing is throwing me though. I tried tung oil on a test patch in my hallway and it got way darker than the rest, but maybe the wood was just super thirsty? I do like the idea of a floor that doesn’t look too perfect... makes me less paranoid about every scratch. Still, I’m nervous about committing to oil everywhere.
I get where you're coming from—wax can be a pain if it stays tacky, and it’s not just you. I’ve run into that, especially if it’s humid or I lay it on too thick. As for oil, yeah, it’ll darken things up, sometimes way more than you expect. That’s pretty much normal, especially with tung oil. The first coat soaks in deep if the wood’s dry, and it’ll look uneven or splotchy until you do more coats or buff it out.
If you like a more lived-in, imperfect look, oil’s honestly the way to go. Scratches tend to just blend in over time, and you can spot repair without stripping the whole thing. Wax is more finicky—looks great at first but gets grimy and patchy unless you’re on top of maintenance. I usually suggest testing oil in a closet or somewhere hidden before going all-in. Sometimes the color shift grows on you, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s way easier to add more oil than to take it off if you change your mind.
If you’re worried about going too dark, you can try a lighter oil or even cut tung oil with citrus solvent to slow it down a bit. Just my two cents—don’t stress too much about perfection. Floors always end up telling their own story anyway.
I’ve definitely had that “tacky wax” moment—one summer, I spent hours buffing a hallway and it still felt sticky for days. Never again in humid weather. Oil’s unpredictability is real, though.
Had a client who loved the golden tone at first, then wanted it lighter after a week... ended up sanding and starting over. Now I always do test patches, even if it feels like overkill.“Sometimes the color shift grows on you, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Wax in the summer is just asking for trouble, honestly. I’ve been burned by that sticky, never-quite-dry hallway too—humidity makes wax behave like it’s got a mind of its own. Even if you buff like crazy, it still feels like walking on a movie theater floor sometimes.
Oil finishes are a whole other beast. You’re right about that color shift—sometimes it’s subtle and nice, other times it’s like, “Whoa, when did my floor turn orange?” I’ve had projects where the client loved that honey tone at first, then started second-guessing once the sunlight hit it differently. Had to sand back a whole living room once because of that. Now I’m borderline obsessive about test patches. Feels tedious, but it saves headaches later.
A few things I’ve picked up along the way:
- Wax is great if you want a soft sheen and don’t mind regular upkeep, but it’s not for high-traffic areas (or humid climates).
- Oil is more durable, but you never really know what you’re going to get until it’s on the wood and cured. Even the same product can look different depending on the batch or wood species.
- If someone’s picky about color, I’ll do three or four test spots in different lighting. Looks like overkill, but people always notice the difference once it’s down.
- Reversing an oil finish is a pain—sanding down to raw wood isn’t quick or fun. Wax is easier to strip, but you’re still dealing with residue.
Honestly, if I had to pick for resale value and low maintenance, I’d lean toward a good quality oil—just with the caveat that you really have to manage expectations about how it’ll look once it’s set. Wax has its charm, but only if you’re ready to baby it.
Funny how something as simple as finish can turn into such a saga...
That’s the thing—every time I think I’ve got it figured out, I end up second-guessing myself. I tried wax in my hallway last July (rookie mistake), and it was like walking on a caramel apple. Switched to oil in the dining room, and now the floor looks warmer than my morning toast. Has anyone found a budget-friendly oil that doesn’t go full tangerine after a few months? I’m all for character, but my wallet can’t handle another “surprise” renovation.
