Introduction and the Rise of Hard Wax Oils
In the past decade, hard wax oils have gained immense popularity among woodworkers. The ease of application and appealing finish that these oils provide make them highly sought after. Traditionally, Rubio Monocoat has been the dominant player in the market, especially in the United States, with its two-component finishes containing a hardener. However, over the past year, several new competitors have emerged, including Natura Onecoat, Rustic Wood Finish, General Finishes, and Osmo. In this article, we will be comparing these hardwax oils and analyzing their performance to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Diisocyanate-based Two-Component Finishes
The key characteristic that makes these new competitors direct competitors to Rubio Monocoat is that they all utilize two-component finishes with a hardener that contains diisocyanates. The presence of diisocyanates as a hardener in these finishes lends unique properties and durability to the final product. Although the exact details of Rubio’s formulation are not known, the emergence of these competing products suggests that they have a similar formulation. This leads us to believe that these finishes will exhibit comparable performance with minor differences.
Disclosure of Financial Relationships
Before delving into the comparison, it is important to ensure full transparency. In the interest of providing unbiased information, it is crucial to disclose any financial relationships or incentives that may exist. In this case, there are no financial relationships or incentives with the companies being compared, except for potential Amazon affiliate links and free samples provided for testing purposes.
In-depth Comparison of Hardwax Oils
Let’s analyze each hardwax oil in this test, focusing on their key features, prices, and performance.
Rubio Monocoat: Rubio Monocoat is the industry standard and has a reputation for its quality and reliability. It is available in various sizes, with the 1.3-liter size being the most cost-effective. It has a coverage range of 300 to 500 square feet per liter, making it suitable for different project sizes.
Natura Onecoat: Natura Onecoat is a cost-effective alternative to Rubio Monocoat. It offers easy application and spreads effortlessly across the surface. It also provides excellent coverage, with a range of 350 to 550 square feet per liter.
General Finishes: General Finishes stands out by offering separate packaging for oil and hardener. While this may seem inconvenient for some, it allows for better control over the ratio of oil to hardener. It contains VOCs in limited quantities and provides a coverage of 126.8 square feet per liter.
Rustic Wood Finish: Rustic Wood Finish is the most affordable option in this test. With its 5 to 1 mixing ratio, it offers excellent value for money. It is a zero VOC product and provides a coverage of 323 square feet per liter.
Osmo 2K Wood Oil: Osmo 2K Wood Oil is comparable in price to Rubio Monocoat. It boasts a unique formula that delivers exceptional shine and consistency. With a coverage range of 429 to 536 square feet per liter, it offers great value.
Conducting the Test
To assess the performance of these hardwax oils, cherry and walnut boards were used. Each board was cut from the same main board to minimize any variations attributed to the wood itself. The boards were planed, sanded to 180 grit, and cleaned with mineral spirits to ensure a clean surface. The finishes were applied using a white Scotch Bright pad, and excess oil was buffed off with a clean pad. Precautions were taken to avoid direct contact with the diisocyanate hardener, as it can be harmful.
Observations and Results
During the application process, Natura Onecoat stood out for its smooth application and ease of spreading. Rustic Wood Finish followed closely in terms of spreading ease. Osmo showed unique characteristics, with its shine becoming more prominent after buffing and noticeable wax build-up on the pad and paper towels.
After 24 hours of drying, a grazing light was used to assess the gloss levels of the finishes. While all the finishes performed well, Osmo exhibited the most notable shine with just one coat. It should be noted that General Finishes acknowledged the potential need for a second coat to achieve the desired level of shine.
A blind qualitative test was conducted by covering the board numbers and mixing them up. This test involved assessing the walnut and cherry boards’ gloss levels under natural light conditions. Although most of the boards appeared similar, a few stood out as either less glossy or more glossy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emergence of new competitors has challenged the dominance of Rubio Monocoat in the hard wax oil market. Each of the tested finishes offers unique features, advantages, and price points, allowing woodworkers to choose the option that best suits their needs. While all the finishes showed commendable performance, Osmo stood out for its exceptional shine and consistency, closely followed by Natura Onecoat and Rustic Wood Finish. General Finishes offers separate packaging, allowing for better control over the ratio of oil to hardener. By considering these factors and conducting your own tests, you can make an informed decision when choosing a hardwax oil for your woodworking projects.
Remember, proper precautions should be taken while working with these finishes, and if you have any concerns, consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for safety and application instructions.
