I’m Starting a New Project

Using wood for floors, countertops, furniture and other projects can be quite rewarding. Typically, applying the finish to the wood is the last step in what can be a lengthy (and expensive) process, so it is important to take the time and care that are necessary to get a good end result. Following are 5…

Tung oil is a main ingredient in almost all Waterlox products (excluding URETHANE). Because tung oil is a naturally occurring oil from the tung tree, there are occasional concerns about allergies to Waterlox products. There is no guarantee that a person may be allergic or sensitive to some ingredient in Waterlox products, however the possibilities…

Surface preparation is one of the most important steps when refinishing wood. Waterlox Original Tung oil finishes are penetrating oil finishes and should therefore be applied to bare wood (does not refer to stain coat(s) if used). If you have brand new – never coated wood surface, a simple sand, vacuum, tack and coat is…

Waterlox ORIGINAL products are compatible with 100% PURE Tung Oil; provided the PURE Tung Oil has been applied and cured for over 30 days. If unsure, one method of testing for PURE Tung oil is to apply a drop of ammonia to a small, inconspicuous area. Cover the drop with something hollow to prevent the…

Waterlox® products, including ORIGINAL, H2OLOX®, TRUETONE®, MARINE, UTOS and URETHANE are formulated and manufactured to be used as is, out of the can or as ‘no thinning required’; therefore we do NOT recommend thinning. There are many references to mineral spirits2 throughout our guides, tips and instructions. Mineral spirits is a solvent that is derived…

Waterlox ORIGINAL Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish is a solution for concrete countertops; however, the number of coats may vary due to the differing levels of porosity in concrete products. Most projects will required between 3 and 4 coats of Waterlox ORIGINAL Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish. The concrete should be allowed to cure for 30 days…

The origin of our name, Waterlox, stands for “locks out water.” Therefore, we think our Waterlox ORIGINAL finishes are the perfect solution for any and all wood finishing project(s). When you add to that your plans to finish a known water-related area like a bathroom, kitchen, counter top or table top, we think Waterlox should…

In this instance, decorative finishes are considered to be “colorization” processes beyond the use of wood stain. This is most often solid paints for lettering, logos, pictures, etc. Some users will even use vinyl decals or logos that they then want to seal under the protective layer. Many options are compatible with Waterlox products, but…

A common question asked is: I have the ORIGINAL Satin Finish and the instructions say to start with the ORIGINAL Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish, TRUETONE Stain or UTOS. Is that necessary? Because the ORIGINAL Satin Finish is a finish to be used on wood surfaces for a satin sheen, a Waterlox Sealer should be used…

A common question asked is: I’ve heard that the Marine Sealer and the Original Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish are the same product, so do I need the Marine Finishes? The initial statement is true. Waterlox MARINE Sealer (TB 3809) and Waterlox ORIGINAL Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish (TB 5284) are the same product with different labels…

All Waterlox products are air-dry products. No hardeners, cross-linkers or heat are needed to properly cure or dry any Waterlox products. The only critical ingredient in the curing process is oxygen. When applying finishes, there are two steps to the drying and curing process. This guide will specifically focus on time and air movement, but…

The environment can play a role in the drying and curing processes. Factors such as temperature and humidity are important to note, but also look for direct, intense sun exposure or high winds if finishing outdoors. Also, different Waterlox coatings may respond differently to different conditions. Temperature Temperature plays a role at the drying, curing…

Waterlox ORIGINAL Tung oil finishes and URETHANE finishes can be used over top dried and cured Epoxy as long as it is lightly sanded first. The Epoxy should be lightly sanded with 220-grit sandpaper to “break the surface gloss”. There should not be adhesion issues with the epoxy; however, the film will build faster over…

There are many exotic wood species that are extremely beautiful, but due to some of their special characteristics, they can present their own challenges. Most often there are concerns about woods that are naturally very oily, dense, resinous or high in tannins. Naturally Oily Woods Many exotic woods contain a high amount of natural oil…

Wood is an amazing building material due to its beauty, strength and versatility, however it has a weird relationship with water. The end grain of wood is very absorbent. To properly protect against water, you may need to take special precautions with exposed end grain. Areas of Concern What is End Grain? The “grain” of…

The finishing process is usually the longest part of a countertop project and it also requires a lot of planning to determine where, when and how you are going to complete the project. One important piece of the plan is what surfaces actually need to get finished. For some extensive planning help, check the Where,…

Waterlox interior products (when used correctly) will leave food-safe and non-toxic surfaces. These surfaces will be safe for food contact once cured, but should NOT be used on cutting surfaces (see Waterlox on Cutting Boards). The most important part is that the surfaces are well cured before use and the wood is properly sealed. See…

Most of the Waterlox product lines have multiple finishes available at varying levels of gloss. The four levels, in order of lowest gloss to highest, are Matte, Satin, Semi-Gloss and Gloss. Some product lines will contain only one option, while others may have 2, 3 or all four. The Find Your Finishing System tool will…

High heat and coatings tend to not get along unless the coating is specifically designed for high heat exposure. Waterlox products are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to high heat. Hot Cookware/Pots/Pans Do not place any hot cookware directly onto a Waterlox finished surface. Use a pot holder, trivet or other insulator to prevent…

Almost every product that we produce at Waterlox would be considered a “clear” coat. Clear is in quotes because the Tung Oil in most of our products will have some impact on the final color, so they are not perfectly clear. However, they are all intended to show off and highlight what is underneath the…

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 125 sq. ft. per quart per coat 6 sq. ft. per 2 oz.…

Wood is an extremely common building material and is also used widely for crafts, art and other projects. One of the first things you’ll notice when you begin working with wood is the sheer variety of possible woods to work with. There are thousands of different species of trees whose wood is used in various…

We DO NOT recommend adding any drier accelerants or Japan Driers into any Waterlox products. In actuality, the drying of Waterlox is relatively quick for a conventional solvent-based product and most surfaces are dry within a few hours. The real concern is about getting a proper cure of each layer. See the drying, curing and…

Wood countertops are very popular and many customers have discovered that Waterlox Original Tung oil finishes are a perfect solution for this type of project. We view a countertop as a miniature floor when recommending application, spread rate, dry times, etc. therefore, you may want to view those FAQs throughout the site or give us…

As a company, Waterlox has been around for over 100 years and has developed an extensive list of products for any and all wood projects. Selecting the right finish for your project can seem daunting, but we’re here to help. The Waterlox Products Waterlox offers a range of product families that aim to address different…

If you are finishing a project during other construction, it is a good idea to protect your freshly finished surfaces. Timing and Curing Waterlox products cure through exposure to oxygen (see drying, curing and ventilation), so when they are covered up, the curing clock is essentially stopped. It is best to allow at least 48…

Sanding for adhesion purposes is not required between coats of Waterlox®s Tung oil based, penetrating finishes, making them unique. Most surface finishes such as urethanes require the sanding process to create what’s called a “profile”. A profile is similar to a mountain range microscopically. Failure to sand/abrade between coats of a surface finish can result…

Waterlox® ORIGINAL Tung oil finishes are penetrating oils that build up to a film and bring out the natural patina (beauty) of wood. As such, it is imperative that the sanding of the project be completed with precision and accuracy. Sanding imperfections and poor sanding, like the character of wood grain, can be highlighted as…

We are asked quite often if our Waterlox MARINE finishing system is recommended for surfaces near water – like a bathroom or kitchen. The simple answer is “no.”Our interior sealers and finishes will provide the water resistance needed for these type of applications. It is true that Waterlox MARINE  products are water resistant; however, they…

Customers ask: “Can we use silicone caulk around the sink and wood countertop?” The answer is “Yes”. You will want to finish the countertop completely and wait 5-7 days for the finish to cure before using the silicone caulk. You will not want to use the silicone caulk prior to finishing the top as the…

The Find Your Finishing System Tool and the Product Recommendations guides are comprehensive in what is recommended for particular projects. However, there are some cases where you may want to consider a specific product for your project. Exterior Special Cases The most difficult obstacle to overcome for exterior clear coatings is UV protection. If your…

Spraying Waterlox finishes is possible using both a conventional or HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) spray gun. HVLP is recommended due to less overspray and better transfer efficiency. Thinning Recommendations For both types of guns, based upon the solids and viscosity, the following thinning recommendations should be followed for spraying: Waterlox ORIGINAL Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish –…

Waterlox products are compatible with most stains. There are many methods and options available when choosing a stain. The goal of this guide is to go over the basics, possibilities and considerations when adding color. As with paint colors, staining or coloring wood is a personal choice. What works for one person may not be…

Q: Can I use a steam cleaner to clean my Waterlox® finished floor? A: Most everyone has seen the infomercials showing how a steam cleaner magically sanitizes and cleans a surface. In fact, we have had many people ask about using a steam cleaner. Our stance is that we really don’t suggest using steam cleaners.…

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when finishing in warm weather. Stay out of the sun Do not finish in direct sunlight. If you need to finish in a sunny area, try to apply your coats in the early morning or late afternoon. The sun will cause the surface of the film…

When a coating is applied to a surface, it typically undergoes two phases: drying and curing. Drying is the evaporation of solvents, water, or other ‘carriers’ used to make it easier to apply the coating. Curing is the actual cross-linking and hardening of the coating, usually through new chemical bonds forming between molecules. Drying and…

Waterlox® products, including ORIGINAL, H2OLOX®, TRUETONE®, MARINE, UTOS and URETHANE are formulated and manufactured to be used as is, out of the can or as ‘no thinning required’; therefore we do NOT recommend thinning. In some states, counties, districts, or townships with specific architectural coating rules, it may be illegal to thin coatings. If thinning…

If you have used Waterlox products in the past, most likely you started your project with our Waterlox Original Sealer and Finish Medium Sheen (TB 5284) or our Waterlox Marine Sealer (TB 3809). Original Sealer & Semi-Gloss Finish and Marine Sealer are and have always been the same product with different labels on the can.…

By definition, Waterlox® ORIGINAL Tung oil finishes are “phenolic modified Tung oil-based varnishes”. By design, our original formulas are low solids solutions (meaning high solvent percentages) engineered to offer the most desirable combination of wood penetrating and protective film build. Without revealing the exact nature of our proprietary formulas, the solids portion of these finishes…

What is a “Finish”? Wood finishing is probably the most complicated step in any wood project, mostly due to the sheer volume of options and choices available. A basic definition would be: “A protective layer formed by a permanent or semi-permanent solid”. The solid portion of a finish is what is left behind after everything…

What is a VOC? VOC is an acronym (pronounced VEE-OH-CEE) that stands for Volatile Organic Compound. The scientific definition is an organic (carbon containing compound) that has a high vapor pressure at room temperature. The EPA defines this as “any organic compound having an initial boiling point less than or equal to 250°C at a…

Proper ventilation and adequate air circulation must be provided when using any wood finishing materials. Most oil-based varnishes dry upon exposure to oxygen, which is also known as “oxidative cure.” A lack of cross-ventilation (air exchange) provides less free oxygen, slowing the drying process. Cross-ventilation is the biggest factor affecting dry times.It is not recommended…

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have become a major focus of regulatory boards and agencies across the globe. There are ongoing studies and investigations into thousands of these compounds to determine their impact on health and the environment so rules, limits, and laws are constantly changing and shifting. These rules and limits can be set at…

Protecting exterior wood decks is an age-old challenge that does not have one simple solution. One option is Pure Tung Oil. The use of Tung oil to protect wood dates back to around 400 BC as a protective finish for wooden ships and still continues to this day. Pure Tung Oil will produce a warm…

Waterlox offers different glosses in many of its product lines based on the principle of manipulating the surface roughness. When designing a Waterlox product, the focus is on providing superior protection while highlighting the beauty of the wood. We have offerings that range from a matte finish through a very high gloss finish. If you…

For any kind of cutting surface, we recommend using our Waterlox PURE Tung Oil for non-toxic, food-safe wood protection. We do not recommend using our film-forming products (ORIGINAL, MARINE and H2OLOX) on cutting surfaces. Over time, the continual cutting could lead to scratches in the finish, which may compromise the waterproof seal. This could allow…

Waterlox® Coatings Corporation has been in the business of making premium wood finishes for over 113 years. We have produced some of the best quality finishes from tung oil and many formulas have remained unchanged for decades. However, the branding or naming conventions have changed on occasion, so this guide is a map to help…

Waterlox is our company name and we manufacture and sell a variety of finishes. If you have searched our website, you’ll see numerous references to our finishes as well as other finishes and some comparisons between the many types. This guide aims to provide a little more technical background on the Waterlox product families. For…

When you are going to be installing new countertops there are a few tips to make the finishing and installation easier. Where to Finish If you have flexibility in where you are applying your finishes, there are a few factors to consider. There is more detailed information in the drying, curing and ventilation guide. Ventilation:…

In today’s ever changing world, many products are available due to market forces and general reformulation. Therefore, we do not know every type of filler process available. Most fillers are compatible with Waterlox® sealers other than those containing any wax or silicone. We also recommend using fillers that are marketed as being paintable and stainable,…