OSMO Polyx-Oil vs. Waterlox

16 years ago

Hi! Does anyone have any experience using OSMO Polyx-Oil to finish wood floors? We're looking into this because we have little children and would like to use a low odor finish. We also like that OSMO can be touched up if there is a scratch. We have a large area of oak floors (~25 years old) that we want to refinish. We also looked into using Waterlox but are afraid because it's smelly and has a high VOC composition (thus probably worse health-wise). I'd love to hear some feedback on either Waterlox or OSMO. How do they compare? Thanks in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Circus Peanut
16 years ago
hi there,
on the Waterlox side, I just refinished two rooms using both Waterlox and low-VOC Waterlox. Unfortunately I can report that I and my fellow workers in my house found the Waterlox to be to pungent to be around comfortably. (Ironically, and the company confirmed this, the low-VOC formulation smells even worse than the regular.) I wound up finishing with a polyurethane product just to avoid the odor.

That said, the Waterlox makes a really gorgeous finish, it deepens your wood color and its re-touchability is what attracted me in the first place. The original finish/sealer is quite high-gloss, just fyi if you go that route.

As always, your results may vary. Good luck, and hopefully someone can report in on the OSMO, which interests me too for future floors.
newtoremodeling
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for your reply. It confirms my fear - that the odor is going to be too strong. I already bought a can of Waterlox and want to refinish some furniture with it (dining table) but will probably wait for warmer weather. Maybe then I'll do it outside. I guess I'll also buy a can of OSMO to refinish a coffee table. This way I'll compare the two products before going on to do my floors. I'll report back, once I have results. BTW, I agree that low VOC Waterlox smelling worse is odd. I wonder why that is.
Related Discussions
Woca (danish oil) vs. Waterlox
Q
Comments (5)
Thank you for responding. In the end we went with Waterlox- two coats original, one coat satin. Our floors are wide plank walnut. The Waterlox process was pretty painful because we had to move out three times, the fumes were SO STRONG and it was the dead of winter. But in the end, we LOVE the results. You are very right in the hand-rubbed look reference, the finish is just gorgeous. We've been done with the last coat for about 3 months now so it hasn't been long but so far, there has been no issues with hard kitchen use, rough kids, etc.
...See More
Walnut top-oil & waterlox compared/pics/color difference?
Q
Comments (41)
One of the woodworkers that was mentioned on another thread uses this Sherwin Williams Lacquer... Thoughts? It comes in dull rub. Here's part of an email he sent to me. (This surface is not for cutting on) "" It is used for restaurant tables, counter tops and islands where the primary use is for service purposes and not for direct cutting. It is available in matt or what sherwin calls dull rub, semi gloss and gloss. 99% of all our blocks using a hard surface finish use the dull rub laquer. The catalyst adds hardness. It is water and stain resistant like waterlox but unlike waterlox it is hard and clear. Waterlox yellows the block. Most people who have hard surface finishes use a cutting matt or block and store it under the top or in a drawer. " Sounds good. I wonder how it wears and also if you can do small repairs by sanding and refinished or if you'd have to do the whole top. I'll call again next week. Maybe I can get a sample piece. I like that it comes in dull rub and supposedly doesn't yellow the block. Here is a link that might be useful: Sher-WOOD Catalyzed Lacquer
...See More
Show me your OSMO finished floor
Q
Comments (93)
I realize this post is super old, but I just wanted to share some critical information with anyone considering Osmo on their floors. I just finished installing 2800 SF of flooring and finishing it with Osmo. I think I like the look, but the verdict is still out. It's definitely a more rustic look, so keep this in mind. I don't know if we didn't sand well enough, but the floor finish is not as even as I would have liked. Hopefully the look will grow on me. What I wanted everyone to know is that rags soaked with Osmo will spontaneously combust!!! There's a warning label on the can, but it's not especially noticeable, and we didn't read everything on the can. Well, let me just say... our rags spontaneously caught on fire, so take the warning very seriously. We had thrown the dirty rags in the trash and about 12 am, the bags caught on fire. Luckily, the bags were in our front yard awaiting trash pickup the next morning so the house was safe. Fortunately, my neighbor's dog alerted our neighbor, who called the fire department in the middle of the night to put out the fire. The flames were 6 feet high in no time. So if you use Osmo, do not under any circumstances leave soaked rags lying around and never, ever leave them inside of your house. I just wanted to get the warning out there. I feel blessed that no further damage was done but it would have been catastrophic had we not taken out the trash and if our neighbors didn't have such an alert dog.
...See More
Finish on Ikea countertops. Waterlox or something else?
Q
Comments (2)
I believe SeaFin is a marine spar varnish. This is something you use because you really really need marine-type waterproofing (e.g., exterior doors). I have no idea what you can put over SeaFin now that it's down but I would suggest you look at OSMO Polyx-Oil -- it's penetrating but totally safe. While it does have mineral spirits, they are highly refined and therefore not as bad as regular oil-based products. In any case, while I haven't used it yet, I have seen samples and it has a soft dull look that brings out the color of the wood. Here is a link that might be useful: OSMO Polyx-Oil
...See More
melva02
15 years ago
I found this thread while searching for information on both of these finishes. I also found a good discussion on another forum and thought you might like the link.

I just signed a contract on a house and would like to sand off the newly done polyurethane because I don't like the color or the toxicity. After what I've read, I think I'm leaning toward the Osmo.

Melissa

Here is a link that might be useful: Osmo Polyx vs. Waterlox
plants4
14 years ago
melva02, Did you end up using OSMO? I'm leaning towards it but would love to hear more. Thanks for the link.
roboticunclephil
11 months ago
Hi I'm gonna try it so I'll let you know how it goes plants4.

OSMO Polyx-Oil vs. Waterlox

Comments (5)

Circus Peanut

newtoremodeling
Original Author

Related Discussions

melva02

plants4

roboticunclephil

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

OSMO Polyx-Oil vs. Waterlox

Comments (5)

Circus Peanut

newtoremodelingOriginal Author

Related Discussions

melva02

plants4

roboticunclephil

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

newtoremodeling
Original Author