To determine the amount of finish needed, simply complete the following equation:
The project square footage x the amount of coats needed = total square footage of the project ÷ by 500 = the total number of gallons needed to complete the project1
We have made it easy for you our Purchase Assistant, and examples are shown below:
Hardwood Example: 1,500 square feet of oak: 1,500 square feet x3 coats= 4,500 total square feet ÷ 500 square feet per gallon per coat = 9 gallons of Waterlox® ORIGINAL Tung oil finish.
Softwood Example: 1,500 square feet of Pine: 1,500 square feet x 4 coats = 6,000 total square feet ÷ 500 square feet per gallon per coat = 12 gallons of Waterlox® ORIGINAL Tung oil finish.
These material calculations are for larger projects such as wood floors. For smaller projects, more coats may be required depending upon the wet film thickness applied with each coat and the method of application. A normal coat applied with a lamb’s wool applicator on a floor as we demonstrate in the online product application video for floors renders 4 mils wet film thickness (WFT); the solids in the finish is approximately 25% (used for mathematical purposes); thereby leaving 1 mil dry film thickness (DFT) when the coat dries. Hand application of the finish or when completing smaller scale projects normally results in ¼ – ½ the recommended spread rate. Therefore, you may need to increase the number of coats applied. Waterlox® ORIGINAL Tung oil finishes are penetrating oil finishes and will therefore penetrate into the wood fibers and build up to a film. Inadequate spread rates or sanding/abrading between coats will require more coats of finish than we suggest.
1 Divide by 125 for a smaller project which will determine the required number of quarts to finish the project.
