Waterlox® produces a variety of different products that may have different spread rates. They can generally be classified as Buffer Applied1 coatings and Wet Applied coatings (brush/pad).
| Waterlox® Products | Spread Rate |
| ORIGINAL Formula Wet Applied |
500 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
| MARINE Formula Wet Applied |
500 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
| H2OLOX® Formula Wet Applied |
500 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
| TRUETONE® Formula Buffer Applied1 |
3200-4000 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
| UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer Buffer Applied1 |
3200-4000 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
| URETHANE Formula Wet Applied |
500 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
| PURE Tung Oil Wet Applied |
400-500 sq. ft. per gallon per coat |
Our Find Your Finishing System tool will recommend 3 total coats for almost all projects. Typically, they will consist of one coat of a Buffer Applied1 coating and 2 coats of a Wet Applied coating, although there are some combinations that may vary.
The important take away is that the Buffer Applied1 coatings have a much higher spread rate of 3200-4000 sq. ft. per gallon per coat and the Wet Applied coatings are 500 sq. ft. per gallon per coat.
Calculate the amount of product needed for each coat using the following formula:
(Total Square Footage of Project)÷(Spread Rate of Product)
It is a good idea to err on the higher side for projects to ensure you do not run out in the middle of the application. Most products can be stored for long periods of time if done properly. See our Storage of Waterlox® Products guide for more information.
Buffer Applied1 Coatings
1 Gallon (128 oz.)=3200-3800 sq.ft.
1 Quart (32 oz.)=600-800 sq.ft.
1 Pint (16 oz.)=300-400 sq.ft.
1 Half Pint (8 oz.)=150-200 sq.ft.
2 oz. Bottle=20-30 sq.ft.2
These coatings are high solids, so a little goes a long way. These coatings include our TRUETONE® and UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer products. To ensure there is enough product, it is wise to use the 600 sq. ft. per QUART per coat. Note that the spread rate of a quart is a little less than expected based on a gallon (same is true of the 2 oz. bottle size; possibly more so). This is due to losses in the buffing pad itself and erring on the side of under promising to ensure enough product is purchased. Some particularly absorbent, “punky” or soft woods (e.g. pine, fir, reclaimed, rough-sawn, dry, etc.) may even need a little more product.
Examples
BASED ON A 1500 SQ.FT.PROJECT:
(1,500 sq.ft.)÷(600 sq.ft.)/QUART)=2.5 Quarts
BASED ON A 250 SQ.FT.PROJECT:
(250 sq.ft.)÷(300 sq.ft.)/PINT)=0.833 Pints
BASED ON A 50 SQ.FT.PROJECT:
(50 sq.ft.)÷(150 sq.ft.)/(half pint)=1/3 of a half pint
Very small projects (end tables, some furniture, small woodworking projects, etc.) can usually be done with 1, 2 or 3 of our 2 oz. bottles. Note that the spread rate of a 2 oz bottle is less than expected based on a gallon (more so than a quart). This is due to losses in the buffing pad itself and erring on the side of under promising to ensure enough product is purchased. Some particularly absorbent, “punky” or soft woods (e.g. pine, fir, reclaimed, rough-sawn, dry, etc.) may even need a little more product.
Wet Applied Coatings
1 Gallon (128 oz.)=500 sq.ft.
1 Quart (32 oz.)=125 sq.ft.
2 oz. Bottle=6 sq.ft.2
Wet applied coatings are typically applied with a brush, pad, t-bar or other method that leaves behind a wet film layer. These coatings include our ORIGINAL, H2OLOX®, MARINE and URETHANE product lines. Because these products form uniform films there is less variability in their spread rate. At least two coats are always recommended to ensure a good continuous layer of protection that has enough thickness to be durable and waterproof. Therefore, calculate what you would need for one coat and double it to determine how much product is needed to purchase.
***Note: Coverage numbers are based on the recommended application method for each product. If the application method is changed, this will alter the spread rate. See the Number of Coats For Your Project guide for more information.
Examples
BASED ON A 1500 SQ.FT.PROJECT:
(1,500 sq.ft.)÷(500 (sq.ft.)/GALLON)=3 GALLONS
BASED ON A 250 SQ.FT.PROJECT:
(250 sq.ft.)÷(125 (sq.ft.)/QUART)=2 QUARTS
BASED ON A 50 SQ.FT.PROJECT:
(50 sq.ft.)÷(125 (sq.ft.)/QUART)=0.4 QUARTS
If you would like to use our traditional sealers in place of the first coat of UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer see our Traditional Sealers guide
8 to 1 Rule
Most of our finishes will recommend a three coat process with one coat of Buffer Applied1 sealer followed by two coats of a Wet Applied finish. Because the spread rate of a QUART of the buffer applied1 coating is approximately equal to the spread rate of one GALLON of wet applied finish, the general rule of thumb is that you’ll need about 8 times the amount of Wet Applied finish for each amount of Buffer Applied1 coating.
Example
For a matte finish on 500 sq. ft. of flooring the guide recommends:
1 coat of UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer
2 coats of H2OLOX® Matte Finish
(500 sq.ft.)÷(600 (sq.ft.)/QUART)=0.833 Quarts needed for the first coat
(500 sq.ft.)÷(500 (sq.ft.)/GALLON)=1 Gallon needed per coat
So total for the project, I would need about 1 quart of UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer and 2 gallons of H2OLOX® Matte Finish. Two gallons = 8 quarts, so we need 8 quarts of H2OLOX® to one quart of UNIVERSAL Tung Oil Sealer.
1IMPORTANT: Spread rates are based upon properly sanded wood applied with a buffing machine. Spread rates can be lower if a trowel is used for application, and significantly lower if hand-applied with a cloth or rag, or over applied. Porous or “punky” woods (e.g.: reclaimed, soft, porous, barn wood, rough-sawn, dry wood, etc.) will reduce spread rates. You may wish to order extra to avoid waiting for more to arrive if you should run out.
2NOTE: In addition to the above 1 note, spread rates for the sample bottles are estimates – and do not include estimating the amount if hand-applied with a cloth, rag, applicator, or over applied.
