Is paste wax better than liquid wax for hardwood floors?

Quick Answer

There are pros and cons to both paste wax and liquid wax for hardwood floors. Paste wax provides a thicker protective coating and longer-lasting shine. However, it requires more elbow grease to apply and buff out. Liquid wax is easier to apply but doesn’t last as long. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Many people find that they prefer the look of paste wax for hardwood floors.

What is Paste Wax?

Paste wax is a thick, creamy wax that comes in a can or tub. It typically contains carnauba wax, beeswax, and/or paraffin wax as key ingredients. Paste wax goes on opaque and you buff it out to a glossy shine. The buffing action helps bond the wax molecules to the wood floor for durable protection. Paste wax forms a thicker coating than liquid wax. It fills in pores and imperfections in the wood, creating a smooth surface. This also helps mask minor scratches and scuffs.

Pros of Paste Wax

  • Provides a thicker, more durable protective coating
  • Offers longer-lasting shine – Only needs reapplying every 3-6 months
  • Can help cover small blemishes and scratches
  • Enhances the natural color and grain of wood floors

Cons of Paste Wax

  • More labor-intensive to apply than liquid wax
  • Requires buffing which can be tiring on the arms
  • Can feel sticky until fully buffed out
  • Difficult to apply evenly to floor edges

What is Liquid Wax?

Liquid wax for wood floors comes in a bottle and has a thin, low viscosity similar to milk. It spreads easily and dries to a glossy film. Liquid wax penetrates into the floor’s surface but doesn’t leave as thick of a protective layer as paste wax. The main ingredients are typically carnauba or beeswax, water, and solvents.

Pros of Liquid Wax

  • Extremely easy to apply – No buffing required
  • Dries fast so floors can be walked on soon after
  • Penetrates well to enhance the wood’s tone
  • Less labor-intensive than paste wax

Cons of Liquid Wax

  • Doesn’t last as long as paste wax – Needs reapplying every 1-2 months
  • Can feel sticky for longer as it takes time to fully cure
  • Doesn’t hide scratches and scuffs as well
  • Lower solids content so less protective than paste wax

Comparing Durability

One of the biggest differences between paste and liquid wax is longevity. Paste wax forms a thicker, more durable protective barrier on hardwood flooring. It can last 3-6 months before needing a fresh coat, whereas liquid wax typically lasts 1-2 months.

Why does paste wax last longer? The buffing action helps fuse the wax to the floor’s finish for superior bonding. The higher carnauba or beeswax content also creates a harder film once dried. Liquid wax penetrates into the wood grain well but doesn’t leave as much material on the surface to protect against wear.

Ease of Application

Liquid wax is far easier and faster to apply to hardwood floors than paste wax. Liquid wax can simply be poured out of the bottle and spread with a mop or applicator pad in thin, even coats. There is no buffing required, so a floor can be waxed and walked on within an hour.

Paste wax requires some elbow grease. You spread it on with a cloth then let it dry to a haze. Buffing it out with a buffer or by hand with a terry cloth gives the glossy finished look.Buffing can take 30-60 minutes for a mid-sized room. Edges and corners also require extra attention when buffing. Overall, liquid wax saves a lot of labor.

Aesthetics

Both paste and liquid wax enhance the look of hardwood floors when applied properly. Paste wax can offer a slightly deeper, wet-look shine as the thicker film reflects more light. Liquid wax produces more of a satin sheen. In terms of color enhancement, paste wax also helps even out the tone across boards by filling more pores and imperfections. Liquid wax highlights the natural variation in grain more.

Cost Comparison

Paste wax is generally more expensive upfront than liquid wax. However, since it lasts 2-3 times longer before needing reapplication, the cost per use works out similar. Expect to pay $1-3 more per can/tub for quality paste wax. Factoring in buffing pads, the equipment costs are also higher for paste wax. If opting for liquid wax, go for a brand made for hardwood floors rather than a multipurpose product.

Can You Use Paste and Liquid Wax Together?

Layering paste and liquid floor wax can provide good results. Here are two options:

1. Paste wax first, liquid wax second – The paste wax provides a thicker base layer of protection. The liquid wax enhances the gloss level and makes the paste wax layer more durable.

2. Liquid wax first, paste wax second – The liquid wax deeply penetrates and enhances the tone of the wood. The paste wax adds the finishing protective coating for shine and resistance.

Allow each application to fully dry before adding the next for proper layering. Be aware that layering any products adds to the prep and drying time.

How to Apply Paste Wax to Hardwood Floors

Here are some tips for getting great results when using paste wax on hardwood floors:

  • Choose a paste wax formulated for wood floors. Look for carnauba or beeswax based.
  • Thoroughly clean floors first – Make sure old wax layers are removed.
  • Work in manageable sections of around 20 sqft.
  • Apply a thin, even layer of wax with a clean cloth.
  • Let wax dry to an opaque haze, about 10-15 minutes.
  • Buff out haze with a buffer or by hand using circular motions.
  • Continue buffing until you achieve a smooth, glossy shine.
  • Give the wax coating 24 hours to fully cure before mopping.

Proper buffing technique and using thin applications prevents gummy wax buildup.

How to Apply Liquid Wax to Hardwood Floors

Applying liquid wax is much simpler than paste wax:

  • Shake bottle well to mix contents.
  • Apply a thin, even coat with a damp mop or floor wax applicator.
  • Let dry completely, about 30-60 minutes.
  • Apply a second thin coat if desired.
  • Allow 24 hours curing time before regular cleaning.

Avoid saturation and puddles when applying liquid wax. One gallon covers approx 500 sqft.

Signs It’s Time to Reapply Floor Wax

Look for these signs your hardwood floors need fresh wax:

  • Dull, faded areas appear on high traffic paths
  • Floors lose their shine and look drier
  • Surfaces feel rougher and less smooth
  • Minor scratches, scuffs, and watermarks are more visible
  • Liquid beads up rather than forming a sheet when mopping
  • It’s been over 3 months (paste wax) or 1 month (liquid wax)

Reapply wax before the old layer is totally gone for best results. Proper prep also helps wax adhere well.

Can You Apply Wax Over Polyurethane?

Wax can be safely applied over polyurethane finished hardwood floors. The polyurethane provides the bulk of the protection while the wax adds a sacrificial top layer. Make sure polyurethane coats are fully cured first. Abrade the surface lightly before waxing to improve adhesion.

How to Remove Wax Buildup from Hardwood Floors

Wax can become gummy and sticky if too many layers build up. Follow these steps to strip wax and start fresh:

  • Sweep and mop floors thoroughly with a hardwood floor cleaner.
  • Apply wax remover or mineral spirits to a small area.
  • Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to dissolve wax.
  • Scrub area with pad or abrasive sponge.
  • Wipe away residue with clean cloths until no more wax comes up.
  • Repeat process over entire floor.
  • Rinse well and allow to fully dry.

Avoid any wax removers that leave behind an oily residue. Test products first.

Conclusion

Paste wax and liquid wax both have their merits for protecting and beautifying hardwood floors. Paste wax provides longer-lasting shine and durability. But liquid wax is significantly easier to apply and touch up. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your floor’s condition, traffic levels, and how much maintenance you want to invest. Many homeowners find that applying paste wax once or twice a year, with interim liquid wax coats as needed, gives the best outcome. This provides a durable base layer while minimizing heavy buffing.